Manchester United close in on £116m Casemiro replacement as 'fee and contract agreed' | OneFootball

Michael Carrick set to be heavily backed to improve his squad

Manchester United are closing in on their first summer signing.

Just a day after Michael Carrick has been appointed as the club's new permanent manager, having impressed on an interim bases since January, work is progressing on improving the squad.

It is no secret that Carrick is on the mark for a new midfielder this summer, with Casemiro calling time on four mixed seasons at Old Trafford.

The trophy-laden Brazilian will depart the club this summer, which will see his eye-watering £350,000-a-week wages be freed up.

The new financial wiggle room means Carrick will more freedom in the summer transfer market, and the reported plan is to sign two midfielders to replace Casemiro.

Atalanta midfielder Ederson and Newcastle's Sandro Tonali are reported two of the midfield transfer wishlist, and the former is close to joining.

Ederson

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According to multiple outlets in Italy, including SportItalia, United have agreed a £46million fee with the Serie A side to sign Ederson.

Italian journalist Matteo Moretto adds that an agreement with Ederson over a contract has also been reach, with a fresh round of talks

Ederson has long been a target for Premier League clubs, with Chelsea going close to signing him a few years ago and then West Ham launching a bold move which did not get off the ground soon after.

Sandro Tonali

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Tonali is next on the hitlist, with the midfielder set to leave Newcastle after the club failed to qualify for the Champions League.

According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Newcastle want around £86m to sell Tonali but United are only willing to commit to £70m.

Despite the disparity in valuations, there is an expectation that an agreement will be reached and Tonali will become a United player this summer.