Manchester United are in advanced talks to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with multiple sources telling BBC Sport a fee of 48 million euros (£41.6m) is close to being agreed for the 26-year-old Brazil international.

Senior club officials have sought to play down the reports, insisting no agreement is yet in place. Ederson has 12 months remaining on his contract with Atalanta and has earned 3 full caps for Brazil, though he missed out on World Cup selection.

Midfield rebuild a priority

United are treating central midfield as their key area of business this summer following the departure of Casemiro and ongoing uncertainty surrounding Manuel Ugarte's future. The club ideally want to bring in two or possibly three players in that position.

Their first-choice target, Elliot Anderson, appears to favour a move to Manchester City, which has pushed United toward moving early for Ederson. The Brazilian spent the past four and a half years in Serie A — beginning with Salernitana before joining Atalanta — and had attracted interest from Atletico Madrid, who have since moved for Wolverhampton Wanderers' Joao Gomes instead.

Another midfield option under consideration, Mateus Fernandes of West Ham United, is expected to be available this summer as the London club manages the financial fallout from relegation to the Championship. United were also keen on Brighton's Carlos Baleba last summer but would look to pay considerably less than they were willing to offer 12 months ago, given Baleba's underwhelming campaign.

Financial picture laid bare