Manchester United’s summer rebuild is about to officially begin. After weeks of speculation and a brief delay caused by international duty at the 2026 World Cup, Brazilian midfielder Ederson is finally set to put pen to paper and become Michael Carrick’s first major signing as permanent head coach.
According to multiple reports, including confirmation from The Athletic, United and Atalanta agreed on a deal earlier this month worth €40.5 million (£34.9 million) upfront, with an additional €4.5 million (£3.8 million) in potential performance bonuses. The 26-year-old has already agreed to a four-year contract that includes a club option for a fifth year, and all that’s left is the medical.
Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport reports that the medical will take place Sunday in New York, of all places — a logistical workaround necessitated by Ederson’s presence with the Brazilian national team at the World Cup in the United States. He was called up as a late replacement for an injured Wesley and featured in Brazil’s opening 1-1 draw with Morocco.
Ederson’s arrival couldn’t come at a more critical time for United. Casemiro’s four-year stint at Old Trafford officially ends this month, leaving a gaping hole in the center of the park. Carrick, who took the reins permanently after a strong run to close out the Premier League season, has made midfield reinforcement his top priority. Reports suggest the club is targeting at least two new midfielders this summer, with Ederson serving as the first piece of that puzzle.
But United’s shopping list doesn’t end there. The club is also actively pursuing a left-back, a left winger, and another central midfielder. Names linked with the left side include Newcastle’s Lewis Hall and PSG’s Bradley Barcola, though no formal bids are known to have been submitted.
The more intriguing subplot involves West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes. The 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder, who missed out on World Cup selection, is viewed internally as a potential long-term partner for Ederson. But there’s a problem: West Ham has slapped an £80 million price tag on him, a figure United is reportedly unwilling to match. If no compromise is reached, Bournemouth’s Alex Scott could emerge as a more affordable alternative.
For now, all eyes are on New York. Once Ederson passes his medical, the announcement is expected to come quickly — and with it, the start of what promises to be a busy summer at Old Trafford.
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