Manchester United continue to chase a new midfielder and have now spoken about a potential alternative to Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte.
Erik ten Hag wants a new midfielder before the transfer window closes and Manchester United’s top target is clear.
United have been chasing Manuel Ugarte for weeks now but have so far been unable to strike a deal for the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder.
United even agreed personal terms with Ugarte in July but no deal has been finalised just yet.
The latest reports suggest that PSG want to loan Ugarte to United with an obligation to buy included in the deal.
United may be tempted but have been eyeing other midfield targets in case the Uruguayan can’t be snapped up.
Manchester United keen on Atalanta star
United have eyed Burnley’s Sander Berge but he is now on the verge of signing for Fulham.
Italian reporter Alfredo Pedulla has now thrown another name into the mix with Atalanta’s Ederson thought to be a target.
Speaking to SportItalia, Pedulla claims that United have ‘asked for information’ on a possible deal for Ederson.
United executives are thought to be in Italy to discuss aspects of the deal which took Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta to United last summer.
Whilst making that trip, United are thought to have asked the question about a potential deal for Ederson too.
Atalanta aren’t particularly keen on losing Ederson but it’s suggested that a transfer will be ‘discussed again’ in future meetings.
It’s claimed that United have ‘excellent relations’ with Atalanta and talks could be resurrected in the coming months.
That suggests that United may see Ederson as a longer-term target, potentially for January 2025 or even next summer.
Yet if Ugarte can’t be signed, United may be tempted to throw in a cash bid for Emerson and force Atalanta’s hand before the end of the summer window.
Any move would see Ederson reunite with Hojlund at Old Trafford having played 31 times together with Atalanta before the Dane’s 2023 move.
Who is Atalanta midfielder Ederson?
Ederson emerged with Desportivo Brasil in his native Brazil but spent time on loan with Chinese side Shandong Luneng before heading to Cruzeiro.
The midfielder bounced around Brazilian clubs, turning out for Corinthians and Fortaleza before being snapped up by Salernitana in 2022.
A sample size of just 15 games was enough for Atalanta to pounce with a deal in the summer of 2022.
Now approaching 100 appearances for Atalanta, Ederson was superb last season and racked up seven goals across all competitions.
An all-action midfielder who can play deep or in a box-to-box role, Ederson helped Atalanta win the Europa League last season.
Ederson has been hailed as ‘extraordinary’ by Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi and his Europa League final display earned huge praise.
Ugarte is the more likely signing right now but keep an eye on Ederson as United’s midfield develops over the next 12 months.
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