Man Utd were ready to agree £46m deal to sign Atalanta midfielder

Manchester United made an offer to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson last summer, according to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (page 14).

The Red Devils were widely tipped to land a new midfielder and eventually signed Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte on deadline day.

However, the club reportedly made an approach for Ederson before that, but Atalanta turned down £42 million plus £4m in add-ons for him.

The Serie A club believe he was a ‘size L player’ but has turned into ‘XL’. He has become an attacking force since Teun Koopmeiners’ move to Juventus.

Atalanta paid £19m to sign the Brazilian from Salernitana and feel he is probably worth triple that value amid his good start to the current campaign.

United could return for Ederson next summer

Ederson initially played as a defensive or central midfielder for Atalanta. However, the 25-year-old has had more freedom to push forward since Koopmeiners’ exit.

He has completed 87 percent of his passes, won an average of four duels and made 5.3 recoveries per game in Serie A this term..

Ederson has also registered a couple of goal contributions in Serie A and won a penalty against Arsenal in the Champions League, which was unfortunately saved by David Raya.

United could return for the Brazilian next summer with the prospect of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen heading for the exit door at the end of the campaign.

Eriksen has entered the last year of his contract and could leave on a free. Casemiro is no longer in his prime and could be offloaded by the club when the season concludes.

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With Mason Mount being hugely injury-prone, a midfield signing is essential. Ederson would be an ideal fit with his tireless work rate, good distribution and physical presence.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com.