Ederson transfer update as Atalanta confirm agreement for £45m Man Utd target

Atalanta manager Raffaele Palladino has confirmed midfielder Ederson is in talks to join a ‘major club’ with Manchester United reportedly on the brink of signing the Brazilian.

United have made rebuilding their midfield a top priority this summer with Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, Aurelien Tchouameni, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali all on their list of targets.

United want at least two new midfield players – possibly three if Manuel Ugarte follows Casemiro out the Old Trafford exit.

Atalanta midfielder Ederson has emerged as another target with reports in Italy claiming United are now on the brink of sealing a £45million move for the 26-year-old.

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Atalanta finished their Serie A campaign with a 1-1 draw with Fiorentina on Friday night with Ederson left out of the squad.

Quizzed on his absence post-match, head coach Palladino revealed the midfielder is deep in talks over a move to leave the club.

‘Ederson is out because a major club is following him,’ he told reporters. ‘It was a decision we agreed with the boy because there is something there at the transfer market level.

‘The fact that such a player is being followed by such a big club must be a source of pride.’

While Palladino did not name United as the club in talks with his player, further reports in Italy report it is the Premier League side who are on the brink of striking a deal.

United will reportedly pay €48m (£41.5m) up front, plus €5m (£4.3m) in bonuses.

Ederson, who was left out of Brazil’s World Cup squad by Carlo Ancelotti, is now understood to be ready to travel to Manchester to finalise his move to Manchester.

Atletico Madrid have also held talks with Atalanta to sign Ederson but were able to reach an agreement with the Serie A club.

United’s options in midfield have been limited all season with Casemiro’s exit set to leave a huge void in the middle of the park.

The former Real Madrid star said goodbye to Old Trafford last weekend in the win over Nottingham Forest and will not involved away to Brighton on the final day of the season on Sunday.