The summer rebuild of Manchester United is beginning to move quickly after the club reportedly secured an agreement for their first major signing.
Michael Carrick wants midfield reinforcements completed early as preparations intensify for next season’s return to the Champions League.
The club are fully aware that strong World Cup performances could dramatically increase player valuations later in the summer.
Because of that, United accelerated negotiations behind the scenes over recent days.
Now, according to The Times, Manchester United have reached an agreement with Atalanta to sign Brazilian midfielder Ederson.
The deal is reportedly worth £35 million upfront and could eventually rise to around £38 million through add-ons.
Talks intensified throughout last week after Ederson made it clear that Old Trafford was his preferred destination.
The midfielder now appears set to become Michael Carrick’s first signing since officially taking charge permanently.
Interestingly, Atalanta unintentionally hinted the transfer was close before the agreement became public.
Ederson surprisingly withdrew from the Italian side’s final match of the season despite initially being expected to feature.
The Serie A club later admitted a transfer was nearing completion. Now, the reason behind his absence appears obvious.
Manchester United wanted to avoid any injury complications before finalising the deal.
The Brazilian midfielder arrives following another impressive campaign in Serie A where he established himself as one of Atalanta’s most important players.
Still, inside Old Trafford, recruitment work is far from finished. United reportedly want at least two new midfielders this summer.
Carrick reportedly believes multiple additions are necessary if United want to compete seriously across both domestic and European competitions next season.
Manchester United continue monitoring several other midfield targets across Europe despite closing in on Ederson.
However, after weeks of negotiations, the Atalanta star now looks ready to become the first signing of Carrick’s Manchester United project.
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