Man Utd closing in on the signing of Atalanta midfielder Ederson

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Atalanta midfielder Ederson, the Press Association understands.

The Red Devils are not wasting any time preparing for their Champions League return having finished third a year on from losing the Europa League final and stumbling home 15th.

Michael Carrick’s deal to stay on as United head coach was announced in the build-up to their Premier League finale at Brighton as work ramped up behind the scenes on a deal for Ederson.

The 26-year-old Brazilian has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford and, having made progress over talks, a deal to sign the Atalanta midfielder is believed to be close.

A fee reaching up to £38 million has been reported in some quarters as Ederson edges ever closer to becoming the first signing of the Carrick era.

United’s need to bolster their midfield this summer is no secret, with mainstay Casemiro departing when his contract expires at the end of June.

A move for Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni has been considered and Elliot Anderson is hugely admired, although the Nottingham Forest midfielder is said to favour Manchester City.

It is shaping up to be a busy summer at a club whose on-field success has been credited by chief executive Omar Berrada as key to financial improvements along with their “business transformation initiatives”.

United released their third quarter results for fiscal 2026 on Wednesday that showed a £37.7 million operating profit over a nine-month period compared to a £3.2 million loss the previous year.

The “headcount reduction programs” was cited in their results up to March 31st following a widescale redundancy programme and restructuring after Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner.

United chief executive Berrada