Man Utd close in on first summer signing with £38m deal for Casemiro replacement edging nearer | OneFootball

Manchester United are closing in on a deal for Ederson, with the Atalanta midfielder set to become Michael Carrick’s first signing.

United are in talks with the Serie A club over a £35m transfer, which could rise by another £3m. They could finalise an agreement to sign the 26-year-old by the end of the week.

Ederson is likely to become the first of at least two midfield signings this summer as Carrick looks to give himself more options in the centre of the pitch.

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Ederson looks set to join Man United as a Casemiro replacement (Getty)

Casemiro is leaving Old Trafford after four seasons, with the Brazilian making his final appearance in the win over Nottingham Forest.

And with Carrick using captain Bruno Fernandes as a No 10, he was down to three specialist central midfielders in Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, who has signed a new contract, and Manuel Ugarte, who has struggled to impress.

United are also interested in Real Madrid’s France international Aurelien Tchouameni and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, but the England player is a target for Manchester City.

In addition, United considered making a move for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba last summer while West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes is thought to be on their radar.

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Casemiro is leaving Man United next month (PA Wire)

Ederson, who has won three caps for Brazil but was not named in the World Cup squad Casemiro will captain, has spent four years at Atalanta, helping them to win the Europa League in 2024.

This anticipated signing comes amid a period of significant activity at the club, with chief executive Omar Berrada attributing on-field success to financial improvements and ongoing "business transformation initiatives."

The club's third-quarter results for fiscal 2026, released on Wednesday, revealed a substantial operating profit of £37.7 million over a nine-month period, a stark contrast to the £3.2 million loss recorded in the previous year.

These financial gains were partly linked to "headcount reduction programs" following a widespread redundancy scheme and restructuring efforts initiated after Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner.

Berrada expressed optimism about the club's trajectory, stating: “We feel very positive about the club’s progress this season and the continuing positive impact of our business transformation initiatives.

“Finishing third in the Premier League and securing qualification to next season’s Uefa Champions League is testament to our men’s team’s improved form on the pitch. Michael Carrick has done an excellent job in the 17 games he has overseen and we are delighted that he will continue as Head Coach.”

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Omar Berrada spoke positively about Man United’s future following the club’s release of their latest financial figures (PA Wire)

He further highlighted achievements across the club: “Our women’s team reached the quarter final in the Uefa Women’s Champions League and also reached the final of the League Cup for the first time and will be participating once again in the World Sevens Series. On the academy side, reaching the FA Youth Cup and PL2 play-off finals is also an indication of our continued commitment to youth development.”

United has also revised its revenue guidance upwards, from an initial £660m to £665m, and increased its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) forecast from a maximum of £200m to £210m.

The club's third-quarter report also confirmed ongoing work towards building a new 100,000-seater stadium and disclosed that the dismissal of former manager Ruben Amorim and his staff incurred costs approaching £16.7m.