Manchester United have reached a full agreement to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson for a total package worth €53m (£46m), while simultaneously informing RB Leipzig that they will not meet the €100m (£86.4m) asking price for winger Yan Diomande. The deal for Ederson, 26, is understood to consist of an initial €48m fee plus €5m in performance-related add-ons, marking the first major acquisition of the Michael Carrick era following his permanent appointment as manager on a contract until 2028. According to reports from TeamTalk and Goal, Atalanta manager Raffaele Palladino confirmed "concrete negotiations" were the reason for the Brazilian's absence from the squad to face Fiorentina this weekend.
Midfield overhaul as Ederson replaces Casemiro
The recruitment of Ederson signals a direct succession plan for Casemiro, who is set to depart Old Trafford this summer with Inter Miami his preferred destination. At 26, Ederson provides a more mobile profile for Carrick's midfield pivot, having established himself as one of Serie A's most effective ball-winners. This move follows a period of heavy investment under the INEOS regime; United spent over €200m last summer on the likes of Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha. By securing Ederson for a total package under £50m, United appear to be pivoting toward a more disciplined valuation model after finishing third in the 2025/26 Premier League season to secure Champions League football.
Valuation gap halts Diomande chase
While midfield reinforcements are secured, United have stepped back from a deal for RB Leipzig's 19-year-old winger Yan Diomande. Fabrizio Romano reports that United officials informed the player's representatives they will not trigger his €100m release clause, effectively leaving the path clear for Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. This fiscal restraint is likely influenced by the club's broader targets, with United reportedly exploring a player-plus-cash deal for AC Milan's Rafael Leao, who is valued at a more accessible €50m. The club is also monitoring Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong, aged 20, as they look to address a shortlist that prioritises a winger, two central midfielders, and a left-back before the window closes.
With the Ederson deal nearing formal announcement, United’s attention now shifts to offloading surplus earners to balance the wage bill ahead of July.