Man United close in on highly rated Brazilian midfielder

Updated at 14.32

MANCHESTER UNITED ARE closing in on the signing of Atalanta midfielder Ederson, the Press Association understands.

The Red Devils are not wasting any time preparing for their Champions League return, having finished third a year on from losing the Europa League final and stumbling home 15th.

Michael Carrick’s deal to stay on as United head coach was announced in the build-up to their Premier League finale at Brighton as work ramped up behind the scenes on a deal for Ederson.

The 26-year-old Brazilian has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and, having made progress over talks, a deal to sign the Atalanta midfielder is believed to be close.

A fee reaching up to £38 million (€44 million) has been reported in some quarters, as Ederson edges ever closer to becoming the first signing of the Carrick era.

United’s need to bolster their midfield this summer is no secret, with mainstay Casemiro departing when his contract expires at the end of June.

A move for Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni has been considered, and Elliot Anderson is hugely admired, although the Nottingham Forest midfielder is said to favour Manchester City.

It is shaping up to be a busy summer at a club whose on-field success has been credited by chief executive Omar Berrada as key to financial improvements, along with their “business transformation initiatives”.

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United released their third quarter results for fiscal 2026 on Wednesday, which showed a £37.7 million (€43.5 million) operating profit over a nine-month period compared with a £3.2m (€3.7m) loss the previous year.

The “headcount reduction programmes” were cited in their results up to 31 March following a wide-scale redundancy programme and restructuring after Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner.

United chief executive Berrada said: “We feel very positive about the club’s progress this season and the continuing positive impact of our business transformation initiatives.

“Finishing third in the Premier League and securing qualification to next season’s Uefa Champions League is a testament to our men’s team’s improved form on the pitch.

“Michael Carrick has done an excellent job in the 17 games he has overseen, and we are delighted that he will continue as Head Coach.

“Our women’s team reached the quarter-final in the Uefa Women’s Champions League and also reached the final of the League Cup for the first time, and will be participating once again in the World Sevens Series.

“On the academy side, reaching the FA Youth Cup and PL2 play-off finals is also an indication of our continued commitment to youth development.”

United have increased their revenue guidance from up to £660m to £665m (€762m to €768m) since the second quarter results, with earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation rising from a maximum of £200m to £210m  (€231m to €242.5m).

The club say in their third quarter results release that “work continues behind the scenes on our ambition to build a new 100,000 seater stadium”.

United confirmed sacking former boss Ruben Amorim and his staff cost the thick end of £16.7 million (€19 million).

Elsewhere, Barcelona have registered their interest in Newcastle striker Anthony Gordon as the battle to sign the England international gathers pace.

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich have already thrown their hat into the ring as they attempt to lure the 25-year-old frontman to Germany, but the Press Association understands their Spanish counterparts have now entered talks with the Magpies.

Speculation over Gordon, who joined Newcastle from Everton for €52 million (€60 million) in January 2023, has been rife for two seasons, and his list of suitors extends to more than just two of European football’s biggest clubs, with Liverpool long-term admirers.

However, any tug of war for his signature could see his price tag – rumoured to be in the region of €86 million (€99 million) – rise significantly.

Gordon has been a key figure in Newcastle’s return to prominence in recent seasons, and his attacking partnership with Alexander Isak, who moved to Liverpool for €150 million (€173 million) last summer, and Jacob Murphy has been a key feature.

He did not play in the final because of suspension, but his form was one of the driving forces in the run, which helped the club end its 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy in the 2024-25 Carabao Cup final and also qualify for this season’s Champions League.

However, amid repeated speculation that he could leave Tyneside, Gordon’s influence has waned somewhat this season despite a return of 17 goals, 10 of them – including one against Barcelona – in the Champions League.

As the rumour machine went into full swing with the end of the campaign approaching, head coach Eddie Howe decided to leave the player out of his team on his return from injury, citing the need to focus on the future, perhaps an indication of what is to come.