Man Utd on the verge of completing Carrick's first signing

1 Jun 2026 09:07 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Manchester United are on the verge of making Atalanta midfielder Ederson their first signing of the Michael Carrick era as they look to purchase a suitable replacement for his compatriot Casemiro.

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The Red Devils head into the 2026 summer transfer window in excellent shape following a third-place finish in the Premier League and they are expected to dip into the market in search of significant reinforcements before the new campaign kicks off in August.

Current ETV

Éderson

M (C)

Atalanta

Éderson

M (C)

Atalanta

ETV Range

€32.3M - €39.4M

Fan favourite Casemiro will leave Old Trafford upon the expiration of his contract at the end of June, while Manuel Ugarte is expected to be sold on a permanent deal after failing to work his way into Carrick’s preferred starting XI during the final few months of last season.

A deal for top midfield target Elliot Anderson has been ruled out due to Nottingham Forest’s asking price of over €120 million, and Man Utd have therefore turned their attention to finalising an agreement to bring Ederson to the club when the summer window opens.

The Brazilian, who was omitted from his nation’s squad for the upcoming World Cup, has been one of Serie A’s best midfielders across an impressive four-year stint at Atalanta and Man Utd have been locked in advanced talks with the Italian club for several weeks.

It’s understood that personal terms on a five-year contract have already been agreed with Ederson, while widespread reports have revealed that a deal is on the verge of being finalised with Atalanta.

This has been confirmed by talkSPORT, who report that Man Utd are “closing in” on an agreement to sign the 26-year-old, who made 41 appearances across all competitions last season.

The Red Devils are reportedly confident that a deal will be completed shortly, with the club keen to sign the midfielder for roughly €40m.

© IMAGO - Ederson is set to join Man Utd this summer

Ederson to become Man Utd’s first summer signing

Ederson’s exclusion from Brazil’s World Cup squad is likely to make negotiations over a transfer far easier and he has been widely tipped to become Man Utd’s first summer signing as they look to back Carrick in the market after appointing him on a permanent basis.

The 13-time Premier League champions are also keen to sign a new left winger and a new left-back, with a player capable of providing cover for Luka Shaw deemed to be one of their priorities for the upcoming summer window.

Man Utd also want to sign another central midfielder, in addition to Ederson, with Premier League stars Carlos Baleba, Alex Scott and Adam Wharton among the players on their transfer radar.

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