Ederson to Manchester United transfer: Why Brazil announcement could be good news after agreeing £35m deal | OneFootball

The Brazilian midfielder made Carlo Ancelotti’s 55-man list but failed to secure himself a seat on the plane in the final squad

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Ederson from Atalanta.

It was reported on Tuesday night that Man United had reached an agreement with Atalanta in a deal worth £35 million, with a medical still to take place before a four-year contract can be signed.

After bolstering their attack last summer, signing Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo and Benjamin Sesko, Man Utd are on the hunt for experience in midfield to compliment Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.

Ederson, who turns 27 in July, has been a standout player for Atalanta in his 180 appearances for the club and has proven himself to be a versatile but reliable player in the deeper midfield positions, which will be especially attractive to United following the departure of Casemiro.

After missing out on Brazil’s World Cup squad, Ederson will without doubt be disappointed, but this could be a blessing for Michael Carrick as Man United could get him onboard as soon as he has his medical done, which could be as early as July.

This means he will get a full pre-season with the club where, while his international teammates are away, he can meet a smaller group of players and coaching staff, and fully get to grips with the system he will be playing in at the start of the season.

Ederson is not in Brazil’s World Cup squad

PA

Preventing that teething period from bleeding into the first games of the new season is of massive benefit to United and Ederson, allowing him to hit the ground running and be fully educated on what is expected of him.

Ederson missing out will also eliminate any potential fatigue that the other 13 players the Red Devils have representing their countries may be feeling - meaning he might even be a first choice option in midfield from the start of the season.

United are expected to make three signings in central midfield this summer, with Ederson being the first of the trio. United are also making enquiries about West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.