La Liga giants threaten to derail United’s transfer plans by offering lucrative contract to 26-year-old warrior – report

Manchester United’s pursuit of Atalanta midfielder Ederson could end in disappointment. The Red Devils are preparing for an eventful summer transfer window, during which the midfield is expected to be reinforced. Casemiro has been indispensable for the Premier League giants this season, but the player has already announced that he will leave once his contract expires in a few months. United have subsequently stepped up their search for the Brazilian’s replacement, especially since Manuel Ugarte has failed to convince. The Red Devils displayed a preference for Premier League-proven targets last year and remain linked with several suitable midfielders to replace Casemiro. Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton have been named as options for some time, while recent reports have suggested that Sandro Tonali has also been added to that list. However, the English giants are also considering candidates from foreign leagues who suit their requirements. A previous report relayed by The Peoples Person states that Ederson is among the names on their wish list. The ideal Casemiro replacement? Ederson spent his formative years at Desportivo Brasil before moving to Cruzeiro in 2019. After stints with Corinthians and Salernitana, the Brazilian joined Atalanta in the summer of 2022. Since then, the 26 year old has been indispensable for the Serie A giants, and has helped them win the UEFA Europa League in the 2023/24 campaign. This season, he has registered two goals and one assist from 30 appearances in all competitions, all but two of which have been starts. Ederson Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesStartsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Serie A21191-1-1,587′ UEFA Champions League88111-667′ Italy Cup11—-90′ Total3028212-2,344′ Source: Transfermarkt. Ederson’s ability to win back possession and his aggressive pressing make him a suitable replacement for his compatriot Casemiro. Meanwhile, the player can also operate in a box-to-box role, so his versatility could be an added bonus for the Red Devils. However, winning the race for his signature could prove to be tougher than expected. The Peoples Person relayed a report last month suggesting that Atletico Madrid were leading the race for his signature in January. Although the Brazilian ended up staying at the New Balance Arena, an update on his future has now emerged. Atletico Madrid close to securing Ederson As per a report in Spain, Atletico Madrid have reached an agreement with Ederson’s camp ahead of a move this summer. The report adds that the LaLiga giants have offered the Brazilian a five-year contract with wages of approximately €4 million per year. Los Rojiblancos also wanted the player in the winter, and while a move did not materialise, they are determined to get him at the end of this season. Diego Simeone reportedly values the player’s abilities and sees him as a perfect fit for his system. The report goes on to state that the only thing remaining is an agreement between the two clubs. The Italian club is reluctant to let him go, but acknowledges that the summer represents a good opportunity to raise some cash, especially if the offer suits their demands. It is believed that a move could materialise for €40-50 million and Atletico Madrid are confident that the Brazilian will ply his trade at the Metropolitano Stadium next season. Final Thoughts Ederson’s abilities and his price tag make him a lucrative option for United, so they could be tempted to attempt a hijack this summer. However, the Red Devils could also stick to their tried-and-tested strategy and focus on the Premier League-proven targets instead. Featured image 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 Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.