Manchester United have agreed a £35 million deal with Italian club Atalanta to sign Brazilian midfielder Ederson, BBC Sport reported Tuesday.
The 26-year-old will sign a four-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option to extend it by an additional 12 months. The deal also includes up to £3.9 million in additional payments. Ederson still needs to complete a medical, and sources told the BBC the transfer is expected to be finalized in early July before United's pre-season training begins.
He becomes the club's first signing since Michael Carrick was appointed permanent head coach last month. Carrick confirmed he had been involved in recruitment meetings from the point he was named as Ruben Amorim's temporary successor in January.
The signing fills an immediate need. United have prioritized central midfield additions after the departure of Brazilian veteran Casemiro, 34, whose contract expires at the end of the month. Ederson could be the first of up to three central midfield signings this summer.
Ederson has proved adaptable across several midfield roles during his time at Atalanta, scoring 16 goals in 180 appearances for the Serie A club across all competitions. He holds three international caps for Brazil and was named in the country's 55-man expanded World Cup squad but missed the final selection made by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
United are also interested in West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, though the recently relegated London club are looking for a substantial profit on the Portugal midfielder, who cost them more than £40 million when he joined from Southampton last summer. United also have interest in Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest, though the England midfielder would reportedly prefer a move to Manchester City.
Beyond midfield, United are looking to add a left-sided player, with Newcastle's Lewis Hall among those being monitored. The club is also seeking striking support for Benjamin Sesko and has not yet settled on the makeup of its goalkeeping group.
Former first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana has been told he can seek another club, though it is unclear whether his wage demands can be met given United's qualification for next season's Champions League. Czech goalkeeper Radek Vitek, 22, who won all player of the year awards at Bristol City while on loan this past season, told BBC Sport in April he wants to play regularly, suggesting he will not return to United as a backup.
The club's transfer activity is being driven in part by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has overhauled United's data analysis operation. Former high-ranking Mercedes Formula One figure Michael Sansoni has played a significant role in identifying targets, working alongside director of football Jason Wilcox.
