Man Utd and Man City both have their sights on a £49m rated midfielder

Manchester United have set their sights on a bold summer move for highly-rated Brazilian international Ederson as they make plans to try and prise the 25-year-old away from Serie A title hopefuls Atalanta after a successful three-year stint at the Gewiss Stadium.

The Europa League-winning midfielder is understood to be a player that Ruben Amorim rates highly as he looks to reshape the Red Devils team in a new image over the summer after a hugely underwhelming start to life in the Old Trafford dugout.

Amorim arrived at United in November to great fanfare after an amazing end to his tenure as Sporting CP boss which saw him guide the capital side to a second league title while also hammering English champions Manchester City 4-1 in the Champions League just days before his arrival at Carrington.

The 40-year-old coach, who was dubbed as one of the best young managers in European football, started his reign with a 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town, with the now departed Marcus Rashford ironically scoring the team’s first goal.

He followed that up with a Bodø/Glimt before hammering Everton 4-0 in a match which once again saw Rashford get on the score sheet. However, since then results have been hugely inconsistent at Old Trafford with Amorim winning nine, drawing three and losing eight of his games with the club while labelling his group the ‘worst in United’s history.’

Amorim made just one first team signing in January in the form of Lecce youngster Patrick Dorgu while teenager Diego Leon from Paraguay and Arsenal’s Ayden Heaven have both been recruited with more of a long-term view.

The January window was mainly based on outgoings and trimming the wage bill ahead of what promises to be a summer of great revolution for the Red Devils.

Man Utd plot move for Ederson

United are leading the charge to sign Atalanta star Ederson as Amorim looks to add some much-needed energy and defensive prowess to his underperforming midfield.

TEAMtalk understands the Red Devils have already made contact with the Brazil international’s entourage in recent months and claims the further talks are expected in the coming weeks as the recruitment team keep close tabs on the midfielder and his pursuit of a Serie A title. United consider the 25-year-old as ‘a valuable purchase’ and are planning to offload two big earning veterans in Casemiro and Christian Eriksen to try and facilitate the deal, according to reports.

The outlet, however, also understands that Manchester City, despite the £50m signing of Nico Gonzalez from FC Porto are keeping close tabs on the Atalanta star, while Liverpool who have long been in the market for a Fabinho replacement have also shown interest.

TEAMtalk understands Ederson has a valuation of around £49m and goes on to say that the midfielder has a strong desire to play in England at some point in the near future.

What could Ederson offer Man Utd?

Ederson is a defensive midfielder with excellent passing range, composure, intelligent positioning, with the strength and power to break up opposition attacks and dictate the midfield battle.

He has been a major part of Atalanta’s success story under Gian Piero Gasperini and was a stalwart in the team which finished fourth in the Serie A table last season while winning the Europa League and also reaching the Coppa Italia final.

The two-time international has scored 12 times and created four goals in 124 appearances for the Bergamo based side, with his all round qualities drawing comparisons to AC Milan and Italy great Gennaro Gattuso.