MANCHESTER — Manchester United has re-entered negotiations to sign Atalanta midfielder Éderson, with fresh discussions scheduled to take place over the coming days.

According to football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the 26-year-old Brazilian has been placed on a targeted shortlist compiled by the recruitment team at INEOS as they look to reconstruct the club's central midfield options ahead of the summer transfer window.

Atalanta is reportedly asking for a fee in the region of €45 million (£39 million) to sanction the transfer. The figure represents a notable reduction from the prohibitive valuation the Italian club placed on the player last summer. With Éderson’s current contract at the Stadio di Bergamo set to expire in June 2027, the Serie A side is now prepared to negotiate a sale rather than risk losing the midfielder as a free agent next year.

Tactical Profile and Positional Demand

Éderson has built a strong reputation in Italy as a durable, box-to-box midfielder. Scouts and analytical reports frequently highlight his out-of-possession work rate and physical engine, noting his efficiency in patrolling the spaces between both penalty areas.

Italian football analyst Gianluca Di Marzio confirmed the advanced nature of the negotiations, stating that there is growing confidence within the player's camp that he will complete the switch to Old Trafford. Di Marzio added that it is now considered certain that the midfielder has played his final competitive match for Atalanta.

The pursuit comes as Manchester United actively seeks a replacement for Manuel Ugarte, who has struggled to find consistency in the defensive anchor role. While Éderson’s physical traits and defensive attributes make him an attractive option to shield the backline, some tactical analysts question whether his ball-progression metrics align with a team aiming to control possession at the highest level of European competition.

Navigating Transfer Competition

The Red Devils are not alone in tracking the Campo Grande native. Atlético Madrid had previously established terms regarding personal conditions with the player's representatives, but the Spanish club failed to reach a financial breakthrough during direct club-to-club negotiations with Atalanta's hierarchy.

Arsenal has also monitored the player's situation as part of its wider summer contingency planning, but Manchester United's consistent dialogue with Éderson's camp over the last twelve months has positioned them at the front of the queue.

While Éderson remains a primary target due to his lowered market valuation and readiness to join, United's sporting department is maintaining parallel talks with alternative midfield profiles. The final decision will likely depend on how the club balances its structural budget against the tactical need for a more technically minded playmaker versus a traditional ball-winning defensive midfielder.

The Brazilian international is open to an Old Trafford move as the Italian club lowers its asking price to avoid a free transfer next year.