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Manchester United are reportedly making rapid progress in their efforts to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson, who is now understood to be the club’s primary transfer target this summer.

The Red Devils are preparing to part company with Casemiro, who has already said his goodbyes to supporters at Old Trafford last weekend. In addition, Manuel Ugarte is expected to be made available for transfer after two underwhelming seasons at the club.

This situation leaves Kobbie Mainoo as the only central midfielder assured of remaining at United beyond the current campaign.

Given the shortage of options in midfield, strengthening this area has become a top priority for United’s football directors, Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell, as they plan for the upcoming summer transfer window.

The club has been linked with several Premier League talents, including Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, and Carlos Baleba. However, potential deals for these players could prove to be prohibitively expensive, with some valuations expected to exceed £100 million – particularly in Anderson’s case.

While a major signing cannot be ruled out, Manchester United are unlikely to commit to multiple high-value deals for the same position this summer.

As a result, INEOS are focusing on more cost-effective options, and Ederson has emerged as an attractive target who has rapidly moved up their shortlist.

The 26-year-old Brazilian has established himself as one of Serie A’s most complete midfielders since joining Atalanta in 2022. With his contract set to expire next year, La Dea are open to a sale this summer, but are reportedly holding out for around €45 million (approximately £39 million).

According to insider Sully’s latest update on RoundTable, there is currently no agreement between Manchester United and Atalanta, despite earlier claims from other outlets. However, he confirmed that discussions have taken place between the two clubs and that meaningful progress has been achieved.

United must still reach an agreement with Ederson and his representatives regarding personal terms, though Sully believes this should not present a significant obstacle.

Ederson has been on Manchester United’s radar for quite some time. Last year, reports suggested that he would be an ideal midfield partner for Bruno Fernandes in Ruben Amorim’s tactical setup featuring a double pivot.

The same logic applies to a potential partnership between Ederson and Kobbie Mainoo, as the Brazilian could serve as the perfect complement to the young Englishman’s technical prowess.

Italian journalist Damien Er Faina once described Ederson as the ‘strongest defensive midfielder in the world’. While that label might be somewhat exaggerated, there is no doubt that Ederson’s physical power and endurance would balance well with Mainoo’s refined skill set, making him an excellent fit for Manchester United’s evolving midfield.