Manchester United closing in on £38m Ederson deal

Manchester United is currently engaged in advanced negotiations to secure Atalanta's Brazilian midfielder Ederson as their inaugural signing of the summer transfer window.

Multiple sources have informed BBC Sport that a deal is nearing finalization. It is expected to involve an initial fee of £35 million, with additional performance-related add-ons totaling £3 million for the 26-year-old player.

While senior officials at Manchester United have played down the speculation regarding an agreement, noting that Ederson still has 12 months remaining on his current contract, the timing coincides with the announcement of their third-quarter profits of £37.7 million for the nine months ending March 31. Chief Executive Omar Berrada expressed a "very positive" outlook regarding the club's trajectory. This reinforces the club's ambition to build upon their surprising third-place finish under newly appointed head coach Michael Carrick.

Despite the significant outstanding transfer fees contributing to the £482 million classified as 'trade and other payables', the club is committed to maintaining competitiveness in the transfer market, while being cautious to avoid the long-term, high-cost contracts that have been problematic in the past.

Strengthening the central midfield is a top priority for United this summer, particularly following Casemiro's departure and uncertainty surrounding Manuel Ugarte's future. The club aims to make two or possibly three new signings for this critical position, although it appears that first-choice target Elliot Anderson is inclined to join Manchester City.

Manchester United often engages with multiple potential targets before finalizing decisions, and they seem to have taken an early interest in Ederson, who boasts three senior caps for Brazil but was not selected for the World Cup squad.

Although Atletico Madrid was rumored to be interested in Ederson, they have reportedly opted for Wolves' Joao Gomes instead. Concurrently, another prospective signing for United, Mateus Fernandes, is likely to be transferred by West Ham as they navigate the financial repercussions of their relegation to the Championship.

United previously expressed interest in Brighton's Carlos Baleba last summer, but they would aim to acquire the Cameroon international for a significantly lower fee this time around due to his lackluster performance last season.

Analysis - a midfielder in the mould of Guimaraes

By Tim Vickery, South American football writer

Ederson was included in Carlo Ancelotti's extensive initial list of 55 players for the World Cup; however, he ultimately did not make the final 26-player squad. With Brazil fielding only five midfielders, the decision could be one the national team regrets, while potentially providing an opportunity for his prospective new club.

The Brazilian midfielder is viewed as a valuable asset for Manchester United, who are eager to enhance their midfield options. With Casemiro's exit and the potential departure of Ugarte, Ederson presents a more dynamic playing style compared to the Uruguayan.

His playing capabilities are reminiscent of Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes. After an impressive three-season tenure at Atalanta, Ederson is anticipated to be ready for a new challenge, arguably influenced by his recent Serie A season and its impact on his World Cup ambitions.

Old Trafford is a stage that demands impactful personalities, and Ederson has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity. He began to establish his reputation in Brazil's Serie A with Cruzeiro, a major club that faced financial turmoil and off-field controversies.

The midfielder first gained recognition at the age of 20 in 2019, displaying exceptional talent in a squad that was facing relegation. More recently, he has contributed to an Atalanta team that consistently exceeds expectations, making this the opportune moment for him to seek a more prominent platform.

Amorim compensation confirmed

In related news, Manchester United has disclosed that the cost of terminating former manager Ruben Amorim's contract amounted to £16.7 million. Amorim was dismissed in January, just over a year following his acquisition from Portugal for a fee of £11 million.

The financial details were revealed in the club's latest accounts. Following a series of disappointing results and disagreements with Director of Football Jason Wilcox regarding the team's strategic direction, Amorim was relieved of his duties.

Under Carrick's interim management, the club achieved success in 12 of 17 matches, culminating in a third-place finish after initially aiming for a Europa League qualification. Carrick has since been appointed as the permanent manager.

The organization also revealed that borrowings on a revolving credit facility as of March 31 stood at £262.5 million. This figure, combined with a legacy debt of £490.1 million (approximately $650 million) from the Glazer takeover in 2005 and outstanding transfer fees, contributes to a total debt nearing £1.3 billion.

Nevertheless, Berrada maintains that the club is progressing positively, both on and off the field, referencing the "continuing positive impact of our business transformation initiatives," despite recent workforce redundancies.

Furthermore, the club is diligently advancing plans for an ambitious new 100,000-seat stadium project, reflecting its long-term vision for growth and improvement.