Man United Have ‘Made Contact’ to Sign £44m Brazilian Midfielder | OneFootball

Man United Join European Elite in Pursuit of Atalanta Midfield Star Éderson

Midfield Target Draws Red Devils’ Interest

Atalanta midfielder Éderson has attracted the attention of Manchester United, Inter Milan and Juventus in the transfer market, according to a report from GOAL. The Brazilian international has become a major figure in Serie A and Europe, with his stock rising following Atalanta’s Europa League triumph and an impressive individual campaign in 2024-25.

United’s interest is longstanding. The club, alongside Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle, explored the possibility of a move last summer. Atalanta refused to sell then, keen to retain one of their top assets. A year on, and the scenario has shifted. The Serie A side is now open to letting him leave, but only at a premium.

GOAL reports that Atalanta is asking for €60 (£51.7) million for the immediate release of the player on the transfer market. For a 26-year-old entering his prime, with years left on his contract until July 2027, this is not a modest price tag. However, it reflects both his quality and consistency.

Photo: IMAGO

Brazilian Midfield Engine Drawing Plaudits

The numbers from last season back up the growing hype. Éderson played 49 games in all competitions, clocking 3,839 minutes for Atalanta. He found the net five times, with four of those goals coming in Serie A and the other in the Champions League. He also added an assist in the Italian top flight.

Despite his label as a defensive midfielder, he is far more than a destroyer. His physicality, positional intelligence and stamina have made him a central cog in Ivan Jurić’s Atalanta system, and his attacking output adds a layer of versatility that modern elite clubs crave.

GOAL highlights that he has been on recruitment radars for some time: “The player has been with the Italian team for three seasons and has been receiving inquiries from other clubs since last year.”

Why United Are Watching Closely

Ruben Amorim will be acutely aware of the need to refresh the midfield. Éderson fits a particular mould. He is durable, tactically astute and proven at European level. His displays during Atalanta’s European campaign, which ended in silverware, are testament to his ability to handle high-pressure fixtures. A midfield trio involving Éderson, Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes offers a balanced and progressive future.

His recent call-up to the Brazil national team also confirms his international pedigree, which is a marker United tend to value highly in new acquisitions.

Photo IMAGO

Financial and Competitive Landscape

United will not have a free run at Éderson. Inter Milan and Juventus have already engaged in talks with the player’s representatives, per GOAL. Both clubs offer the advantage of continuity in Serie A and Champions League football, factors that may weigh heavily on the player’s decision.

Still, United’s global profile, coupled with the Premier League’s financial might, means they remain a serious contender if they choose to formalise their interest.

Whether INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe see the €60 million valuation as justifiable will depend on the wider strategy. What is certain is that Éderson is no longer under the radar. His name belongs in discussions involving the best midfielders on the market this summer.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Manchester United, this link with Éderson is promising and frustrating in equal measure. On the one hand, it shows the club are looking at dynamic midfielders with pedigree and potential, something supporters have long demanded. On the other, there is a weariness around transfer windows filled with interest but no delivery.

Éderson is the kind of signing that suggests a plan. He brings legs, composure and hunger, and unlike some recent signings, he isn’t at the tail-end of his career. Fans would be rightly excited about seeing him alongside Mainoo.

But many United followers will raise eyebrows at the price. €60 million is steep, especially when there are priorities elsewhere on the pitch. If the club misses out to Inter or Juventus, it would hardly be the first time that dithering in negotiations led to disappointment.

Still, for a team trying to reset its recruitment under a new structure, Éderson would be a strong signal of intent. He’s proven, motivated and fits the system. If the board backs the manager, it could be the midfield boost United desperately need.