Ederson deal ‘moves closer’ as agent admits Man Utd transfer ‘fantasy’

Manchester United have been told that they have taken a step closer to landing midfield target Ederson from Atalanta.

Ederson is a player who Man Utd have been linked with for several months, yet with the Red Devils in need of additional strength in the middle of the park, he has increasingly come into focus lately.

Now the Red Devils are said to have moved closer to landing the player, with GiveMeSport indicating that a deal can only be done if Ruben Amorim’s side reach the Champions League. Their 3-0 semi-final first-leg win over Athletic Club is seen as a big step towards this.

Potential for a surprise twist has emerged, though. The Manchester Evening News reports that Amorim has been left impressed with the way that Casemiro has adapted to his requests, potentially reducing the need for a fresh central midfielder this summer.

In usual circumstances, the Red Devils would probably press ahead to secure Ederson in any case, but with many areas of the field needing surgery and finances limited in order to complete moves, it could be that the club reassesses the need to sign here.

The 25-year-old Atalanta star, however, would seem to correspond strongly to Amorim’s requirements. Ederson has both excellent stamina and covers ground superbly – two necessities to thrive in the Portuguese’s favoured 3-4-3 system.

Agent breaks silence on Man Utd rumours

Alvaro Carreras has been linked with a return to Man Utd from Benfica.

The agent of the full-back, though, has dismissed these links while speaking to A Bola.

“I don’t know where this news comes from, everything that is said in it is pure fantasy and, as such, it does not deserve any comment on my part,” Gines Carvajal.

“Carreras is doing very well in Benfica and will continue there.”

Amorim’s only major signing for Man Utd in January was left-back Patrick Dorgu from Lecce, while Diego Leon will arrive in the summer, leaving Carreras surplus to requirements at Old Trafford.

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While Real Madrid may wish a sale, it may be difficult to manufacture given his large wages and chronic physical unreliability over the course of the last 18 months. Alaba would certainly represent a major gamble for any buying club.