Manchester United’s agreement to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson remains in place despite a recent social media post suggesting the deal had collapsed, according to journalist Tyrone Marshall. The Red Devils are prioritizing midfield reinforcements this summer following the departure of Casemiro and a significant injury to Manuel Ugarte, who could be sidelined for up to a year with a knee ligament issue.
A £35million agreement for the Brazilian international was reportedly reached weeks ago, but was temporarily paused due to Ederson’s participation in the World Cup with Brazil. The social media post sparked speculation among fans, but Marshall clarified that the deal is fully agreed with both Atalanta and the player, with a medical scheduled to take place after the conclusion of the World Cup, as initially anticipated.
United are also exploring options to further strengthen their midfield, with Chelsea’s Andrey Santos emerging as a potential target. Valued at £50million by the Blues, Santos is reportedly aware he is currently behind Moises Caicedo in the Chelsea pecking order, and multiple enquiries have been made to his representatives, according to David Ornstein. Santos is said to want regular first-team football, which could open the door for a move to Old Trafford.
Another midfielder on United’s radar is Felix Nmecha, currently at Borussia Dortmund. Insider Mark Critchley reports that United have already undertaken work on a potential deal for Nmecha, leveraging his prior connection with Jason Wilcox, a former Manchester City academy player. Nmecha could also help United meet their homegrown quota requirements. While Dortmund are typically a selling club, reports in Germany suggest a fee exceeding €100 million (£86m) could be demanded. United are also monitoring Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, but the club are reportedly unwilling to sell.
The pursuit of midfield reinforcements signals a clear shift in strategy for United, addressing vulnerabilities exposed by recent injuries and departures. Securing Ederson and potentially adding Santos or Nmecha would provide manager Erik ten Hag with greater depth and quality in a crucial area of the pitch.
