Manchester United have intensified their efforts to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson as a long-term replacement for the departing Casemiro, according to multiple reports from Italy. The Premier League club's new co-owners, INEOS, are driving the pursuit of the 26-year-old Brazilian, with a transfer fee in the region of €45-50 million understood to be required to secure his signature.
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato.it, contacts between United and the player's representatives have accelerated in recent days. The report states that United's financial capability to meet Atalanta's valuation has given them an advantage, particularly after another suitor, Atletico Madrid, reportedly hesitated over the asking price. This development follows a claim from TuttoJuve that United are now in 'pole position' for Ederson, despite reported rival interest from Arsenal.
The move is part of a planned midfield overhaul at Old Trafford, necessitated by Casemiro's confirmed departure. The former Real Madrid star announced in January that he would leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the current season. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has stated that, despite fan sentiment wishing for him to stay, Casemiro's exit is definitive, with a move to Major League Soccer, potentially to Inter Miami, appearing the most likely outcome.
Ederson, full name Ederson Silva, has established himself as a key figure for Atalanta since joining from Salernitana in 2022. His combative and technically proficient performances in Serie A and European competition have earned him a call-up to the Brazilian national team. Romano noted on his YouTube channel that United's interest is not new, having monitored the player since the summer of 2025, but that a formal move was contingent on securing Champions League football and finalizing managerial plans.
For Atalanta, the potential sale represents significant business, having signed the player for a fraction of the current quoted fee. For Manchester United, securing a player in his prime to fill the defensive midfield role addresses a pressing need. The acquisition would signal INEOS's intent to build a younger, more dynamic core, moving on from the veteran Casemiro era. The deal's progression is now reportedly awaiting the finalization of the club's managerial situation for next season, with new head coach Michael Carrick expected to have input on the squad's composition.
