Manchester United have reportedly reignited their interest in one of their old targets amid interest in striker Rasmus Højlund.
Manchester United have prioritized a new central midfielder this summer transfer window, after the signings of three attackers, most recently Benjamin Sesko.
While hoping to raise funds from the ‘5-man-bomb-squad’, United are without a major player sale this window, with Marcus Rashford being the only departure so far.
Rasmus Hojlund has been linked with many European clubs this window, and with a move back to Atalanta becoming a possibility recently, the Dane could be the first significant sale for Ruben Amorim’s Reds.
The finances of a possible deal with the Bergamo club have been helped by a potential swap deal for ‘out of this world’ Atalanta midfielder.
Højlund-Ederson swap deal on the table
With the club deciding not to pursue Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba further, United looks elsewhere for a more financially viable option.
Morten Hjulmand and Adam Wharton are players the Reds are monitoring, as per The Athletic, but in recent negotiations for the potential sale of Højlund, Atalanta’s “crazy” Ederson’s name was brought up as a potential target for United.
Although it seemed as if Højlund was destined for AC Milan, amid their change of striker transfer targets, the Dane’s former club, Atalanta, have opened talks with United surrounding the striker, offering Amorim a lifeline surrounding his possible transfer.
“Ederson is a fascinating player, long linked with England, almost every major club has looked at him and not just looked but liked what they have seen, but the situation has not been right,” transfer journalist Graeme Bailey told United in Focus.
“Now Man United are looking, why wouldn’t Ederson be back on their radar – he could easily fill the CDM slot that Rúben Amorim clearly wants.
“I am told that there has been contact between Atalanta and United in the last few days, and the two clubs talked about a few different subjects.
“One of them was Rasmus Højlund – Atalanta were enquiring about what United are looking for, they need a striker and can offer Champions League football. Whilst it is believed AC Milan are Højlund’s preference, a move back to Bergamo could very well appeal.
“So during these talks, I am informed that Ederson’s name did come up – United are doing their work on options.”
How does Ederson compare to other targets?
Despite three seasons in the Serie A under his belt, the Brazilian lacks a vast amount of top-flight experience, at least compared to other United targets.
Carlos Baleba was the reported dream signing to partner Bruno Fernandes this summer, but it appears that a deal does not seem financially viable for the Reds, as Brighton is reportedly after a fee well over £100 million.
As previously mentioned, Morten Hjulmand is a name also considered by the club. It was reported that earlier this window, United had a bid rejected by Sporting Lisbon for the Dane, leading the club to pursue other targets.
Recent developments suggest the Reds are after Sevilla midfielder Lucien Agoume for a fee of around £35 million, a player very similar to Ederson.
If a deal can be agreed upon for Ederson, the 26-year-old would bring a lot of promise and would likely be a long-term solution to the central midfield problem that concerns Amorim.
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