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Manchester United’s search for an ‘elite midfielder’ has seen them re-examine their pursuit of Ederson – with a renewed push to complete a deal for the Brazil international following the latest developments in Italy.
A faltering engine
United’s main recruitment priority this year is to revamp Ruben Amorim’s engine room, with two new options expected to arrive at Old Trafford.
The long-term future of the group of seniors – Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte – is in doubt for a variety of reasons, further fueling the need for new blood.
Fernandes, United’s talismanic captain and the team’s best player, is the only option to perform consistently well in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system.
But even the Portugal international is uncomfortable in this situation, with his best work coming when deployed closer to the opposition goal than his own.
United’s main midfield targets follow INEOS’ recruitment guideline to pursue players with proven Premier League pedigree, with Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Carlos Baleba (Brighton) and Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) topping the list.
But all three are expected to cost more than £100m, with domestic tax on shopping in England making the pursuit of more than one unlikely – meaning a cheaper alternative on the continent may have to form the second half of United’s two-pronged approach.
Price reduction for Ederson
This has led to INEOS instructing intermediaries to carry out “new checks” on Atalanta midfielder Ederson, a long-term target for United, according to TEAMtalk.
“Sources insist the club remain determined to make a breakthrough in their search for an elite midfielder this month, and their long-term interest in Ederson remained a key area of inquiry.
“His age, playing profile and experience suit the way Man Utd plan to build on beyond this season. Ideally, United would now want to bring in someone who can make an impact in the current campaign while committing to the 2026/2027 season.”
Ederson has developed into one of the most dynamic midfielders in Serie A while playing for Atalanta. Interestingly, the 26-year-old Brazilian featured most often At Dea’s in a 3-4-3 system – exactly the role he would play under Amorim at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils had previously shown interest in Ederson, but Atalanta’s asking price was as high as €75 million – negotiations stopped.
However, this figure has now fallen TEAMtalk revealing that it might even be “below €40 million – and if that were to prove to be the case, United would want to take action.”
A price drop of almost 50% for a long-term target – a dynamic box-to-box midfielder with experience in the exact system Amorim is struggling to find a capable deputy – could be the belated Christmas gift every United fan has been longing for.
Featured image Francesco Scaccianoce via Getty Images
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