Manchester United considering £40million transfer with one target set to move elsewhere

Man Utd are set to overhaul their midfield options this summer and there is growing interest in Atalanta’s Brazilian international Ederson.

Manchester United are weighing up a move for Atalanta’s Brazilian international Ederson this summer as part of plans to overhaul their midfield.

The 26-year-old is out of contract next summer and United have been alerted to his availability after talks with Atletico Madrid over a summer transfer broke down.

Atletico are now looking to complete a move for Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes, another player United had been monitoring ahead of what is expected to be a busy window.

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Gomes’ move to the Wanda Metropolitano will clear the way for United to go for Ederson, who will leave Atalanta this summer and could be available for around £40million given his contract situation.

Reports in Italy have suggested personal terms have already been agreed, and although it is understood to be premature at this stage, United do hold a firm interest in the midfielder, who has spent the last four years with Atalanta and has won three caps for Brazil.

United plan to sign at least two midfielders this summer, and that could be extended to three if Manuel Ugarte is sold. While they are targeting an elite-level holding midfielder to replace Casemiro, Old Trafford’s recruitment chiefs are aware of the need to add more depth.

To do that, they will need to make the figures work, and that is why Ederson is emerging as a realistic target. He has made 178 appearances for Atalanta, but they are set to miss out on European qualification this season.

Gomes, 25, is one of several mid-range Premier League midfielders that United had the run rule over, but he is now expected to seal a move from Wolves to Atletico.

Nottingham Forest’s England international Elliot Anderson has long been United’s top midfield target, although they face competition from Manchester City that could drive his price up. They retain a strong interest in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and are ready to try and lure Aurelien Tchouameni to Old Trafford if he is allowed to leave Real Madrid.