Manchester United are reportedly “intensifying contacts” to sign Atalanta midfielder Éderson this summer, with the club clearing a key issue involving Man City.
Manchester United are looking to add serious midfield talent to Rúben Amorim’s squad this summer amid a need for more stability in the centre of the park.
Despite signing Manuel Ugarte as a defensive midfielder last summer, the club are looking to delve back into the market to sign further reinforcements.
Amorim’s team have been unable to control fixtures in midfield since his arrival, with a whole host of combinations of players used as the middle two in his 3-4-3 system but to little avail.
Further, the possible departure of Casemiro this summer means Amorim must find a new midfield general who can lead the pack in the middle of the pitch while providing better defensive cover for his back line.
United intensifying Éderson contacts
Last week, a report emerged that United were now in “pole position” to sign 25-year-old Atalanta midfielder Éderson this summer, with an offer expected to arrive at the Serie A side’s front doors soon.
Italian outlet Tutto Atalanta has now provided the latest on this transfer. While United are not expected to start handing out player bids until they know whether they will qualify for the Champions League next season, the report claims that United are now ‘intensifying contacts’ with Éderson’s representatives.
United have also reportedly hinted to Atalanta that they would be willing to negotiate for the Brazilian, who currently commands a transfer fee of around £51 million.
Further, it is claimed that United have finally overcome Premier League rivals Man City in the race to sign him and are now the forefront runners to bring him to England this summer.
Why do United want to sign Éderson?
As mentioned above, Amorim has a general need to sign defensive midfield reinforcements this summer amid possible outgoings and a general need for better quality.
However, with respect to the case of signing Éderson, the Tutto Atalanta report further revealed that United consider signing him as a strategic buy “to build a midfield capable of combining physicality and quality” at the club.
The last time United and City battled it out to sign a Brazilian midfielder was Shakhtar Donetsk’s Fred, who spent five seasons at Old Trafford, winning the EFL Cup in 2023.
United spent a similar amount on Fred that Éderson is expected to cost, but fans will be hoping that, should the Brazilian join in the summer, he will be a more consistent player than Fred while being just as much of a fan favourite.
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