Ederson, who is poised to become Manchester United’s first summer signing, could be handed a rare squad number that only eight players have worn before at Old Trafford.

United have agreed to pay Italian side Atalanta an initial €40.5 million for the 26-year-old, who has been capped three times by the Brazil national team. Ederson will sign a four-year deal with the Red Devils once he’s completed a medical. The Athletic’s David Ornstein claims the deal is set to be finalised in early July.

Ederson is not part of Brazil’s 26-man World Cup squad after failing to make the cut, despite being named on Carlo Ancelotti’s long list of 55 players.

South American football expert Tim Vickery has compared Ederson to Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes, writing for BBC Sport: “Ederson would seem to have plenty to add to United, who are looking to bolster their midfield options.

“His Brazilian compatriot Casemiro is leaving the Red Devils – and Manuel Ugarte could follow. Ederson offers more on the ball than the Uruguayan and is more dynamic around the field.

“He is a midfielder in the mould of Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes. After three splendid seasons in Italy with Atalanta, Ederson would seem overdue for a move – and may blame his final season in Serie A for missing out on the World Cup.”

Ederson to be Denied ‘Dream’ Man Utd Shirt Number

Ederson is set to be denied his ‘dream’ shirt number once he completes his move to Man Utd, according to the Mirror.

The report highlights how Ederson currently wears No. 13 for Atalanta, but that number is occupied at Old Trafford by the versatile Patrick Dorgu.

Ederson previously wore the No. 15 shirt with Brazilian sides Corinthians and Cruzeiro, but that number is also taken at the Theatre of Dreams. French defender Leny Yoro was assigned 15 as his squad number following his move from Lille in 2024.

While 14 and 17 are currently vacant, Ederson could instead choose to wear 40 – the number he began his playing career with.

Nobody has managed to make the No. 40 shirt their own at Old Trafford. A host of talented youngsters who failed to make the grade at United have previously donned the squad number including Daniel Nardiello, Jonathan Spector, Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Adam Eckersley.

Since then, the number 40 shirt has been exclusively worn by reserve goalkeepers. Ben Amos was first before Joel Pereira took it, followed by Matej Kovar. Former Czech Republic international Radek Vítek, who spent last season on loan at Championship side Bristol City, occupied No. 40 most recently.

Ederson could be hoping to buck the trend by becoming Manchester United’s first-ever star player wearing No. 40.

Manchester United’s summer transfer priority is a rebuild of their midfield, but they are also considering additions in other positions on the pitch too.

With Casemiro gone and an expectation that Manuel Ugarte follows him through the Old Trafford exit door, Man United chiefs are ready to sanction moves for up to three new players in centre of the pitch.

One of those looks increasingly likely to be Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with Andy Mitten expecting a deal for the Brazilian to be completed in the next 24-48 hours.

The 26-year-old won’t be the last arrival either, with lots of talk around West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes, Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni as links around Brighton and Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba have gone quiet.

Elsewhere on the pitch, United will look to bring in a new goalkeeper to compete with Senne Lammens if Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir leave the club, while Luke Shaw looks to need more competition in the left-back spot too.

GIVEMESPORT sources believe that United will look for a left-sided attacker, with interest in Morgan Rogers of Aston Villa likely to ramp up now Michael Carrick has been confirmed as the permanent manager.

Red Devils recruiters could also look at a new striker if Joshua Zirkzee leaves the club.

Man United Line Up ‘Dream’ Victor Osimhen Transfer

According to CaughtOffside, United have five strikers on their radar including Galatasaray centre-forward Victor Osimhen, who they view as their ‘dream’ summer signing for the position.

The Red Devils are looking to provide more depth and a different profile to Benjamin Sesko in attack, and they believe that the Nigeria international would bring goals, pace, power and presence in the number 9 position at Old Trafford.

Osimhen has impressed in Turkey with Galatasaray, scoring 59 goals in 74 games for the Super Lig giants.

Bruno Fernandes Would Love Osimhen Transfer

Fernandes outlined his reputation as an assist king after breaking the record for the most (21) in a Premier League season this term.

The United captain loves setting up his teammates and we saw in the final few matches of the season that chances were being spurned by the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, that could have boosted his tally even further.

The Portugal international would have no such issues with Osimhen, who continues to enhance his own reputation as a goal machine in Turkey, with one journalist describing him as being ‘one of the best strikers of this century’.

The 27-year-old should be in the prime years of his career and his outlay suggests he is, with 22 goals in 33 games for Galatasaray this term, following on the back of netting 76 times in 133 outings for Napoli previously.

Not only does Osimhen know where the goal is, he isn’t afraid to throw his tall frame around and be a physical nuisance to opposition defenders too.

The Nigerian has that penalty box instinct that is so vital for a goalscorer, and Bruno would surely thrive off of his positioning and movement, with many goals expected to follow.

The Red Devils will face difficulties trying to prise him away from Gala though, who will be determined to keep hold of their star man.

Liverpool are set to appoint Andoni Iraola as their new manager this week, and Yan Diomande has already approved a move to join him at Anfield this summer, according to Santi Aouna.

Liverpool look set for a transformational summer with Iraola replacing Arne Slot in the dugout, and big changes expected on the pitch too.

Some big presences and voices in the dressing room have departed in Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate, and they will need to be replaced in the coming months.

Jeremy Jacquet will arrive on Merseyside this summer after the Reds agreed a £60m deal to sign the centre-back in the January transfer window, while their options at left-back are Milos Kerkez and Kostas Tsimikas.

Liverpool’s recruitment team also have a lot of work to do in attack following Salah’s exit, and with Hugo Ekitike likely to be out until 2027 after suffering a ruptured Achilles.

The Reds have a shortage of depth and quality up front, especially with the 2025-26 season suggesting they are unable to rely on the fitness of club-record signing Alexander Isak.

They are already working to sort out the issue though, with a major boost involving Diomande.

Yan Diomande Gives Green Light to Liverpool Transfer

According to French journalist Santi Aouna, posting on X, RB Leipzig sensation Diomande has already approved moves to both Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain ahead of the transfer window officially opening on June 15.

The 19-year-old is the Reds’ number one target to replace Salah at Anfield, following an outstanding breakthrough season for Leipzig.

The ‘superstar’ winger ended the campaign with 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 appearances for the Bundesliga outfit, showing his quality and potential for the future.

Now it is up to either Liverpool or PSG to agree a fee with Leipzig, with one journalist suggesting that they value him at up to €120m (£104m).

Liverpool Ready to Hijack Man United Transfer Talks

Manchester United are another club planning big changes to their squad this summer after qualifying for the Champions League, and they face new competition from Liverpool in the race to sign West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

The Portugal international has got the green light to leave the relegated Irons this summer as he wants to avoid playing in the Championship, having been one of the club’s best performers in the Premier League this term.

Despite Fernandes now suffering two successive Premier League relegations, he has come out of both seasons with Southampton and West Ham with many plaudits, arguably being the best player for both clubs despite only being 21 years of age now.

United have been considered the frontrunners for his signature with the player said to be keen to link up with Portuguese compatriot Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford, but TEAMtalk claim that Liverpool are ‘ones to watch’ in an expected fierce battle for his signature this summer.

West Ham want £80m for their star man, but offers from interested clubs are set to be closer to the £60m mark, with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain also making contact over a potential deal.