Manchester United plan to hijack Ederson move with Atalanta swap-deal

Manchester United could be presented with a fresh opportunity to sign a long-term midfield target this summer, with a potential deal emerging that could benefit both sides.

The Red Devils are expected to prioritise midfield reinforcements in the upcoming window following Casemiro’s announcement that he will leave the club in the summer.

A new development could open the door for a move that has been explored in the past.

According to a report from the Mirror, United could look to hijack a deal involving Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with a swap arrangement involving Joshua Zirkzee now a possibility.

Zirkzee has struggled for consistency since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer of 2024.

He was in talks with Italian Serie A champions Napoli earlier this month, with an exit increasingly likely.

Fellow Italian side Atalanta are now said to be among the clubs interested, which could present United with a direct route to land Ederson.

The Brazilian midfielder has been on United’s radar for some time.

With just over a year remaining on his contract, Atalanta may be open to negotiating a deal this summer.

His valuation was previously set around €75 million, but a swap deal could lower the overall cost.

This comes despite recent reports suggesting that Ederson had given a verbal agreement to join Atletico Madrid last week, meaning Manchester United would need to act quickly if they are to compete for his signature.

Ederson’s profile highlights why he remains such an attractive option.

He boasts a long-ball accuracy of 72.9% this season, placing him among the most reliable deep-lying midfielders in the Serie A when it comes to progressing play.

Defensively, he has recorded 111 defensive contributions, alongside 5,47 recoveries per 90 in the league – a figure that surpasses Casemiro’s 4.90 in the Premier League this season.

Those numbers underline a midfielder capable of both controlling possession and contributing defensively, making him a strong candidate to replace Casemiro.

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