FINALLY DONE: Manchester United complete the signing of the most talented player in Europe, documents signed last night, medical today as Player set to be on stand to watch Brighton game tomorrow

Manchester United has recently submitted a formal offer to acquire Ederson, a key player from Atalanta, as the transfer window nears its conclusion, reports Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla.

The pursuit of a new midfielder follows Casemiro’s disappointing performances last season. Despite showing some improvement in a recent game against Fulham, Manchester United has determined that they need to secure a player who could serve as a long-term successor to the Brazilian midfielder.

Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte has been frequently named as Manchester United’s top target for this role, with ongoing negotiations aimed at bringing him to Old Trafford. However, the club is also considering alternative options should the Ugarte deal fall through. One such option is Ederson.

Pedulla reveals that Manchester United recently held talks with Atalanta, partly to finalize details related to Rasmus Hojlund’s transfer from last summer. During these discussions, United reportedly made a £42 million (€50 million) bid for Ederson.

United has been tracking Ederson for several years and holds him in high regard, which led them to pursue the transfer. However, Atalanta has rejected the offer, unwilling to sell their key player so late in the window.

Ederson is known for his defensive midfield abilities, excelling at disrupting opposition play while being proficient with the ball and capable of advancing past defenders. He was instrumental in helping Atalanta secure the Europa League title last season, their first major trophy in 60 years.

While Ederson could have been a significant asset for Manchester United, the club remains focused on acquiring Ugarte before the transfer window closes. Additionally, United has already spent over £130 million this summer on players such as Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, and Leny Yoro. It remains to be seen how much more they are willing to invest as the deadline approaches.