Man Utd expected to sign £100m World Cup star right after completing Ederson deal
Manchester United are making moves this summer, eyeing a key player expected to shine at the World Cup. They’ve agreed to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson for an initial £35 million, with up to £4 million more in add-ons. The 26-year-old will likely be their first signing of the summer, though the deal is expected to be completed in early July, according to The Athletic.
The club is gearing up for their Champions League return next season, now under the permanent management of Michael Carrick. Carrick earned a two-year contract last month after stepping in as interim manager in January. He helped lead United to third place in the Premier League and celebrated his first official win with a 3-0 victory over Brighton on the final day.
While the club hasn’t revealed all the players staying, Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia are leaving on free transfers. Ederson’s arrival is a big boost for United’s midfield, and reports say more midfield signings are on the way.
Former United striker Louis Saha has highlighted the need for strengthening in defense too, especially at center-back. He’s encouraged the club to consider Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven, who’s also in the Netherlands’ 26-man World Cup squad. Van de Ven was valued at £100 million earlier this year, but it’s unclear if that price has changed since he helped Spurs avoid relegation.
In an exclusive chat with SPORTbible for the Unibet World Cup 2026 campaign, Saha shared his thoughts: “To keep pushing forward, United will need strong and talented players. The Champions League means more games and challenges that Carrick hasn’t faced with the team yet. If they have the budget, they can make it happen.
“We definitely need a strong defender like Micky van de Ven—someone tough and versatile. Our current defenders are quality but often struggle with injuries, which could make the season tricky.”
Saha also suggested bringing in competition for striker Benjamin Sesko, saying, “He’s our only main striker, a young player, and the Champions League will be a big challenge for him to handle alone.”
On midfield, he added, “We need more aggression and leadership after Casemiro’s departure. Players must support and challenge Bruno Fernandes. Also, more creativity is needed on the wings. While we have some good players there, Champions League level requires extra magic to help Bruno.”
Overall, it looks like Manchester United are ready to strengthen their squad in several areas as they prepare for an exciting season ahead!