Manchester United could make Ederson their first signing of the summer transfer window after making significant progress in negotiations with Serie A side Atalanta. The 26-year-old was not a substitute in Friday night’s draw with Fiorentina, but after the game Atalanta manager Raffaele Paladino admitted the midfielder was close to leaving the club.
“This was a decision that was agreed with the boy because something is happening in the transfer market,” he said. “The fact that a player like that is being pursued by such a big club is something to be proud of.”The club Palladino was referring to is understood to be United, with a deal between the two sides now believed to be close to completion.
Ederson had previously attracted interest from Atletico Madrid, but they have since shifted their focus to Wolves midfielder Joao Gomez.
A transfer fee of around £40 million is expected to be enough to secure a player with just one year left on his contract, especially considering Atalanta are likely to miss out on European football next season.
Ederson won three caps for Brazil, but was unable to make the World Cup squad this summer. This season, he has played 41 games in all competitions for Atalanta, scoring three goals and providing two assists.
United have previously monitored his progress during his four years at Atalanta and are poised to move him this summer as part of a major midfield shake-up.
However, United face stiff competition for Anderson from local rivals Manchester City. Since joining Forest from Newcastle in the summer of 2024, the 23-year-old has cemented his reputation as one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League.
When asked about whether the England international would remain at the City Ground, Forest manager Vitor Pereira admitted last weekend that he was unsure.
“I don’t have an answer to this. A market is a market and anything can happen. What I can say is that the club definitely wants to keep him playing for us,” the Portuguese said.
“The club wants to retain players. This is a very good group with quality and character and we are in a very good position for next season.”
