Ederson is still expected to join Manchester United despite recent reports claiming the transfer was off. The Atalanta midfielder has all but joined the Reds, although an official announcement has yet to be made by the club or his representatives.
A £35 million plus £3.8 million in add-ons deal for the Brazilian international has been agreed with his club. Personal terms have also been finalised, and he will sign a four-year contract once the transfer is complete.
Rumours Denied
While attention has been directed at other midfielders, a rumour circulated today claiming the deal to sign Ederson was off. The Manchester Evening News can confirm this is not the case. The original agreement remains in place, and Ederson is still expected to arrive at Old Trafford.
The delay in the announcement is because he is still competing in the World Cup with Brazil. The South American has yet to undergo a medical, which is usually one of the final steps in any transfer. However, he cannot complete this with United until after the World Cup.
Medical and Pre-Season Timeline
With the World Cup final set for July 19, it could be more than two weeks before Ederson has his medical. He will miss United's first few pre-season matches unless Brazil exit in the earlier knockout stages. Between July 18 and August 1, Michael Carrick's side will face Wrexham in Helsinki, Finland, Rosenborg in Trondheim, Norway, and Atletico Madrid in Stockholm, Sweden. If Brazil reach the final, Ederson will likely miss all these games.
The friendly against Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain in Gothenburg, Sweden on August 8 may be a target for his first appearance in a United shirt. By the time United embark on their Scandinavian pre-season tour, Carrick will be hoping Ederson is not the only midfielder available.
Midfield Concerns
Currently, Kobbie Mainoo is the only senior central midfielder in Carrick's squad, with Casemiro having left and Manuel Ugarte suffering a serious knee injury while playing for Uruguay at the World Cup. United continue to be linked with several midfielders. Previous targets Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes were deemed too expensive after joining Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, respectively. Sandro Tonali is also set to join Tottenham in a deal worth around £100 million, having previously been linked with United.
Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni, Bournemouth's Alex Scott, and most recently Chelsea's Andrey Santos have emerged on United's transfer radar.
