Manchester United have reached a £35m agreement with Italian club Atalanta to sign Brazil midfielder Ederson, with the 26-year-old set to pen a four-year contract that includes an option for a further 12 months.

The transfer is subject to an additional £3.9m in performance-related payments. Ederson still needs to complete a medical, and sources indicate the deal is expected to be finalised in early July — ahead of the club's return to pre-season training.

He will be the first acquisition since Michael Carrick was confirmed as permanent head coach last month, and could be the first of as many as three central midfield additions this summer.

Replacing Casemiro in midfield

United are prioritising central midfield reinforcements following the imminent departure of Casemiro, 34, whose contract expires at the end of this month. Ederson brings versatility to the role, having operated across multiple central midfield positions during his time at Atalanta, where he scored 16 goals in 180 appearances in all competitions in Serie A and beyond.

The Brazilian holds three international caps and was included in Carlo Ancelotti's extended 55-man Brazil World Cup squad, though he did not make the final selection.

Further transfer targets

United are also monitoring West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, though the relegated London club are seeking a considerable profit on the Portugal midfielder, who cost them more than £40m when he arrived from Southampton last summer.

Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest is another England midfielder on United's radar, although the player is understood to prefer a move to Manchester City.

Beyond midfield, United are exploring options for a left-sided player — Newcastle United's Lewis Hall is among those being considered — as well as a striker to support Benjamin Sesko.

Onana's future in doubt

United's goalkeeping situation also remains unresolved. It is understood former first-choice André Onana has been informed he can seek a new club, though the Cameroon international's wage demands may complicate a departure, particularly given he stands to benefit from United's return to the UEFA Champions League next season.

Czech stopper Radek Vitek, 22, who earned all of Bristol City's player of the year awards during a standout loan spell, has told BBC Sport he wants guaranteed first-team football — signalling he is unlikely to return to Old Trafford as backup to Senne Lammens.

Data-driven approach under Carrick

The pursuit of Ederson reflects a broader shift in United's recruitment strategy, driven by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. The club has overhauled its data analysis operation under Michael Sansoni, a former senior figure at Mercedes in Formula One, who has played a central role in identifying transfer targets alongside director of football Jason Wilcox.

Carrick confirmed he has been involved in recruitment discussions since he was first named as Ruben Amorim's temporary successor in January.