Man United agree deal wiith Atalanta for Ederson

A first signing for the summer moves closer for Manchester United 

They have reached an agreement with Italian side Atalanta for the signing of Brazil midfielder Ederson in a deal worth £35m (€40.5m).

Author | Olivia T

The 26-year-old is set to sign a four-year contract at Old Trafford, with the club holding the option to extend it by a further year.

Ederson is still to undergo a medical, although sources indicate the transfer is expected to be finalised in early July, ahead of United's return for pre-season training.

He would become the club's first signing since Michael Carrick was appointed permanent head coach last month.

The agreement also includes a further £3.9m (€4.5m) in performance-related add-ons.

It is expected to be the first of potentially three midfield arrivals this summer as Carrick looks to reshape his squad.

Replacement for Casemiro?

United have made central midfield a priority following the departure of fellow Brazilian Casemiro, whose contract expires at the end of June.

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Ederson, who has won three caps for Brazil, was included in the nation's provisional 55-man World Cup squad but did not make Carlo Ancelotti's final selection.

United also retain an interest in West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, although the relegated club are seeking a significant profit on the Portugal midfielder, having paid more than £40m to sign him from Southampton last summer.

The club are also admirers of England international Elliot Anderson, though the Nottingham Forest midfielder is understood to favour a move to Manchester City.

What about other positions?

Alongside midfield reinforcements, United are exploring options on the left flank, with Newcastle's Lewis Hall among those being monitored, while the club are also seeking additional attacking support for Benjamin Sesko.