Inside Ederson transfer: Former Man Utd chief at centre of deal to bring in midfielder

Atalanta have confirmed midfielder Ederson is in talks to leave with a former Manchester United director overseeing the move.

The Red Devils are looking to bolster their midfield this summer, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson admired and a move for Real Madrid man Aurelien Tchouameni among those considered.

United need to bring in more than one midfielder this summer with Casemiro departing and Ederson could be the first signing of the Michael Carrick era.

The Brazil international has been linked with Old Trafford for some time and talks are under way to bring in the 26-year-old from Atalanta.

Ederson was on an unused substitute in Friday’s 1-1 draw at Atalanta, with head coach Raffaele Palladino saying afterwards that negotiations with a big club were happening.

Although Atalanta boss Raffaele Palladino stopped short of naming United, he revealed the reason behind Ederson’s absence was because of a transfer.

He said: "Ederson out? It was a decision we agreed with the boy because there’s something going on in the transfer market.

"The fact that such a player is being followed by such a big club should be a source of pride."

And playing an important part in the deal is former United football director John Murtough who joined Atalanta as director of global development last year.

It did not go unnoticed by United fans that he was oversaw the signing Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta before joining the Italian club.

Ederson would be another piece of business between the two clubs and hopefully more successful.

He is a hardworking midfielder but does not have the quality of Casemiro on the ball.

Elliot Anderson is understood to be at the top of United's transfer shortlist ahead of the summer transfer window.

Both United and Manchester City are monitoring Anderson's progress before a potential summer move for the £100million-rated Nottingham Forest star.

Since joining Forest from Newcastle United in the summer of 2024, the 23-year-old has established himself as one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League.

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are also believed to be keen on signing Anderson this summer, but a two-way battle between City and United is expected to take place.

When asked if Anderson would stay at the City Ground, Forest boss Vitor Pereira admitted last weekend: "This is an answer that I don’t have.

“The market is the market, everything can happen. What I can say to you is the club wants to keep him playing for us for sure.

"The club wants to keep the players. This is a very good group with quality, with character and we are in a very good place for the next season."

United round off their season with a trip to Brighton on Sunday having already wrapped up third spot and Champions League qualification.