Man Utd closing in on £42m Ederson deal
Image source, Getty ImagesEderson has made 180 appearances for Atalanta, scoring 16 goals
- Published5 minutes ago
Manchester United are in advanced talks to make Atalanta's Brazil midfielder Ederson their first summer signing.
Multiple sources have told BBC Sport a deal is close to completion, with a fee of 48m euros (£41.6m) likely for the 26-year-old.
Senior United officials played down speculation and say there is still no agreement for Ederson, who has 12 months left on his contract.
However, on the day they announced third-quarter profits of £37.7m for the nine months to 31 March - and chief executive Omar Berrada said he was "very positive about the club's progress" - it is clear United are eager to build on their unexpected third-placed finish under new head coach Michael Carrick.
United do still owe a huge amount in outstanding transfer fees, which makes up the vast majority of the £482m owing in 'trade and other payables', and underlines the work needed to get their finances in order.
But they are determined to be competitive in the transfer market, while pledging not to fall into the trap of offering expensive long contracts as they have in the past.
United are prioritising strengthening central midfield this summer after the exit of Casemiro and uncertainty over Manuel Ugarte's future.
Ideally, they would like to make two, or possibility three, signings in that area, although it appears first choice Elliot Anderson would prefer to join Manchester City.
While it is not unknown for United to negotiate with more than one target before making a final decision, they appear to have opted to move early for Ederson, who has three full Brazil caps but has missed out on World Cup selection.
Atletico Madrid were thought to be keen on the player, who has spent the past four and a half years in Serie A - initially with Salernitana - but the Spanish side have plumped for Wolves' Joao Gomes instead.
Another potential United target, Mateus Fernandes, is likely to be sold by West Ham this summer as they come to terms with the financial consequences of relegation to the Championship.
United were keen on Brighton's Carlos Baleba last summer, but would look to sign the Cameroon international for a lot less than they were willing to offer 12 months ago after his underwhelming season.
Image source, Getty ImagesRuben Amorim was sacked by Manchester United on 5 January
Meanwhile, United have confirmed it cost them £16.7m to dismiss former manager Ruben Amorim.
United sacked the former Sporting boss in January, less than 14 months after they paid £11m to bring him to the club from Portugal.
The exact figure was contained within the latest accounts. Amorim was sacked in January after a run of poor results and arguments with director of football Jason Wilcox over the team's style of play.
Carrick won 12 of his 17 games in caretaker charge as United finished third in a season where they had initially targeted a Europa League spot - and the former Red Devils midfielder has since been appointed permanently.
The club also confirmed borrowings on a revolving credit facility on 31 March were £262.5m. With the addition of a £490.1m ($650m) debt which was a legacy of the Glazer takeover in 2005, plus the outstanding transfer fees, it means United's three main areas of debt remain just under £1.3bn.
Nevertheless, Berrada is adamant the club are heading in the right direction on and off the pitch as he spoke of the "continuing positive impact of our business transformation initiatives", which included two lots of redundancies.
The club also said work was continuing behind the scenes on its ambitious new 100,000-seater stadium project.
Related topics
Схожі новини
Полтавська ОВА та мерія мають взяти відповідальність за порятунок "Ворскли", - Сікалов
Три перемоги за день: українки Світоліна, Костюк та Стародубцева підкорили "Ролан Гаррос" у Парижі
Ролан Гаррос: Юлія Стародубцева сенсаційно обіграла другу «ракетку» світу
