Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Atalanta midfielder Ederson and will then do battle with Arsenal for a second major signing of the summer.
Man Utd keen to complete summer business early
The Red Devils are not wasting any time preparing for their Champions League return having finished third a year on from losing the Europa League final and stumbling home 15th.
Michael Carrick’s deal to stay on as United head coach was announced in the build-up to their Premier League finale at Brighton as work ramped up behind the scenes on a deal for Ederson.
The 26-year-old Brazilian has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford and, having made progress over talks, a deal to sign the Atalanta midfielder is believed to be close.
A fee reaching up to £38million has been reported in some quarters as Ederson edges ever closer to becoming the first signing of the Carrick era.
United’s need to bolster their midfield this summer is no secret, with mainstay Casemiro departing when his contract expires at the end of June.
A move for Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni has been considered and Elliot Anderson is hugely admired, although the Nottingham Forest midfielder is said to favour Manchester City.
It is shaping up to be a busy summer for INEOS, having also been linked with a move for Botafogo star Danilo, and they are now set to do battle with Champions League hopefuls Arsenal for the signature of one of South America’s best up and coming talents.
Man Utd make approach to sign “iconic” £34m midfielder after Ederson
The Red Devils want to sign multiple midfielders this summer.
Man Utd and Arsenal ready to bid for Araujo
Indeed, both United and Arsenal are considering bids for Sporting CP star Maxi Araujo, Football FanCast sources understand.
Arsenal are seeking an out and out full-back to compete with converted centre-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie, with Myles Lewis-Skelly expected to move into midfield full-time.
United meanwhile are delighted with the fitness of Luke Shaw, who started every Premier League this season, but need cover for the veteran Englishman with four competitions to play in next season.
There is an internal belief at both clubs that they need to act fast, with the flying full-back expected to star for Uruguay at the World Cup, which would see his price skyrocket.
Sporting, for their part, are desperate to keep hold of the 26 year-old late bloomer, who had such a strong season this year Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert even joked he should win the Ballon d’Or.
A full-back by trade but capable of playing anywhere up the left flank, Araujo is protected by a €80m (£69m) release clause, but Sporting are desperately working to extend his contract and insert an even higher fee.
Despite not arriving in Europe until age 24, Araujo has blossomed into one of the best full-backs in the world, scoring seven times and providing five assists in all competitions this season and playing a major role in his side’s shock surge to the quarter-finals.
What “sources at Arsenal” are now saying about talks for Newcastle star Sandro Tonali
The Italian was offered to them by his agent in January.