Manchester United have agreed a deal with Atalanta to sign midfielder Ederson, The Athletic reported on Tuesday, reinforcing Erik ten Hag’s central midfield ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
The fee is understood to be in the region of £38m, with personal terms not expected to be an obstacle given the player’s openness to the move. Ederson, 26, has been at Atalanta since 2022 and was a key figure in Gian Piero Gasperini’s side that won the 2024 Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen. His contract in Bergamo runs until 2028, meaning Atalanta were under no immediate pressure to sell.
David Ornstein of The Athletic broke the initial story, reporting that United had moved quickly after identifying Ederson as their priority midfield target. The Brazilian is valued for his ball-carrying ability and defensive discipline, traits that United’s recruitment team believe address the absence of a true No. 6 following Casemiro’s reduced role last season. Sky Sports News later corroborated the agreement, with Dharmesh Sheth noting that the structure of the deal includes performance-related add-ons.
Ten Hag is understood to view Ederson as a player capable of operating as a single or double pivot, offering cover for Kobbie Mainoo and a long-term replacement for the thirty-three-year-old Casemrio. Atalanta are expected to reinvest the fee, with links to several Serie A midfielders already circulating.
The medical is expected to take place later this week, with an announcement likely before United’s pre-season tour kicks off on 18 July.
