United launch raid for “elite” Brazilian dynamo after insane price drop, he will transform Amorim’s system – report

Manchester United’s hunt for an “elite midfielder” has seen them revisit a pursuit of Ederson – with renewed impetus to strike a deal for the Brazil international after the latest developments in Italy. A Faltering Engine United’s main recruitment priority this year is to overhaul Ruben Amorim’s engine room with two new options expected to arrive at Old Trafford. There are doubts over the long-term futures of the cohort of senior options – Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte – for a variety of reasons, further driving the need for new blood. Only Fernandes, United’s talismanic captain and the team’s best player, is the only option to consistently perform well in Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system. But even the Portugual international feels an awkward fit in this set-up, with his best work coming when deployed closer to the opposition goal than his own. United’s primary targets in midfield follow INEOS’s recruitment directive of pursuing players with proven Premier League pedigree, with Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Carlos Baleba (Brighton) and Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace) atop the list. But all three are expected to cost in excess of £100 million, with the domestic tax of shopping in England making a pursuit of more than one unlikely – which means a cheaper alternative on the continent may have to make up the second half of United’s two-prong approach. Cut-Price Deal for Ederson This has led INEOS to direct intermediaries to conduct “fresh checks” on Atalanta midfielder Ederson, a long-term target for United, according to TEAMtalk. “Sources insist the club remain determined to make a breakthrough in their pursuit of an elite midfielder this month, and their long-term interest in Ederson remained a key line of enquiry. “His age, playing profile and experience fit with how Man Utd are planning to build beyond this season. Ideally, United would like to bring someone in now who can make an impact in the current campaign while also bedding in ahead of the 2026/27 season. Ederson has established himself as one of the most dynamic midfielders in Serie A while playing for Atalanta. Interestingly, the 26-year-old Brazilian has most often featured for La Dea in a 3-4-3 system – the exact role he would play at Old Trafford under Amorim. The Red Devils had previously expressed interest in Ederson, but Atalanta’s asking price – as high as €75m – halted negotiations. This figure has dropped now, however, with TEAMtalk revealing it could even be “under €40m – and if that proved to be the case, United would look to activate a move.” A near 50% price drop for a long-term target – a dynamic box-to-box midfielder with experience in the exact system Amorim has struggled to find a capable deputy in – may be just the late Christmas present every United fan has been craving. 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 Darragh 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.