Old Trafford source unveils United’s plan to make another big-money signing – report

Amid swirling doubt over whether Manchester United will finalise a transfer for Ederson, an inside source at Old Trafford has lifted the lid on the club’s plans for the Brazilian midfielder after a deal was struck for Andrey Santos earlier this week. United’s aggressive hijack The Red Devils have been linked with Ederson, 27, across multiple summer windows, dating as far back as 2023. But Atalanta’s exorbitant demands, with a valuation as high as £70 million, prohibited a deal from advancing, despite the admiration from United officials. This interest was reignited this summer, however, after the Serie A club reversed their position in light of the Brazilian’s contract, which is set to expire in twelve months’ time. Both Atletico Madrid and Arsenal have expressed interest in recent months, while a number of Atalanta’s rivals in Italy were eyeing a raid as well. But United were lurking in the background throughout this. Having kept a close eye on Ederson’s form this season while maintaining contact with the player’s camp, INEOS moved aggressively to hijack the race, with Atletico Madrid understood to have been locked in talks to agree a deal. Ederson Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesStartsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Serie A3026213-2,235′ UEFA Champions League99111-724′ Italy Cup22—-210′ Total4137324-3,169′ Source: Transfermarkt. At the beginning of June, a £39 million deal was quickly struck with Atalanta, with whom United maintain an excellent working relationship. Once the interest from M16 was apparent, Ederson is understood to have made the 20-time Premier League champions his priority over other suitors. At this stage, the Sao Paulo native was set to fly to England to finalise the move after completing a medical. A late call-up by Brazil manager Ancelotti for the World Cup to replace right-back Wesley has delayed this plan, however, which has led to unexpected doubts over whether the deal will ever be completed now. Doubts over the deal Manchester United are said to want final “guarantees” before proceeding with the transfer. They want to “conduct thorough medical exams” on Ederson, despite having already completed one last month. This has led to reports in Brazil suggesting the deal has “stalled”, despite United officials having briefed the opposite last weekend after similar rumours sprung up. The Daily Mail reveals there were “concerns” raised during the first medical, which may explain this sudden shift. However, TEAMtalk reports United are “still pushing ahead” with the deal. It remains “firmly on schedule despite strong reports emanating from the player’s homeland on Sunday that it was in danger of collapsing.” The outlet relayed the view of a well-placed source, who states, “There are no issues with the Ederson move. He is due for a medical in England as soon as is logistically possible, and that will all be confirmed in due course, but the move is very much in place and still on.” But the Red Devils have also reached a £50 million agreement with Chelsea to sign Santos, another Brazilian midfielder. The 22-year-old is due to travel to Manchester today to complete his own medical, having not been on duty for the Seleção at the World Cup. The stylistic similarities between Ederson and Santos had further fuelled the idea that United may be willing to sacrifice the former to secure the latter. But the expectation appears to be for the club to confirm Ederson’s signing after the deal for Santos is ratified this week. The serious injury Manuel Ugarte has suffered, which is likely to rule him out until well into next year, is likely to have driven INEOS’s choice to add two combative midfielders to the ranks. Santos is a versatile operator, capable of playing as the No.6 or No.8, with many in Brazil considering him a long-term successor to Casemiro. A move for United’s “dream” replacement for Casemiro, Aurelien Tchouameni has fallen by the wayside, however, with the Real Madrid superstar set to put pen to paper on a new contract at the Bernabeu. But in an interesting twist, United are zeroing in on one of his French teammates as a potential third recruit in midfield. Featured image by Francesco Scaccianoce via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.