United closing in on Tonali and Ederson in £129m double midfield move

Manchester United are closing in on a £129m double midfield signing, with manager Michael Carrick understood to be confident of landing Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and Atalanta’s Ederson ahead of the summer window.

TalkSPORT report that United have reached a verbal agreement with Ederson on a five-year deal, with talks between the clubs progressing over a £43m fee. The Brazilian has just 12 months remaining on his Atalanta contract, though the Serie A club are holding firm on their valuation despite his situation.

Tonali, valued at £86m by Newcastle, has emerged as the other primary target. The Magpies’ failure to secure European football this season is said to have handed United a significant advantage in negotiations, with reports from Italy suggesting the club are confident of completing both deals.

Carrick is prioritising midfield reinforcements to fill the void left by Casemiro’s departure and other potential exits, and is keen to integrate the new arrivals into the squad as quickly as possible.

One minor complication on that front involves squad numbers. Tonali has worn the number eight throughout his career at AC Milan and Newcastle, but that shirt belongs to club captain Bruno Fernandes, who has held it since the 2022/23 season and previously wore it at Sporting CP and Udinese. Fernandes has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford in the past but shows no sign of leaving, making a handover of the number eight unlikely.

The number 18, vacated by Casemiro upon his exit, could be an option for Tonali instead.

Ederson faces a similar situation. The midfielder has worn the number 13 throughout his six years at Atalanta, but that number was claimed by Patrick Dorgu when the Danish full-back joined United in the January 2025 transfer window — a shirt he has worn throughout his senior career.

While the squad number issue is unlikely to affect either transfer, it illustrates the logistical groundwork United will need to manage should both signings be confirmed.