What Ederson move means for Man Utd's transfer plan this summer

As they look to build a squad capable of competing on all fronts next season, Manchester United are planning to make a statement of intent by signing three midfielders, according to reports.

Those behind the scenes at Old Trafford will be armed with superior negotiation tools in the coming weeks after the club secured Champions League football following a year without European football.

In fact, as we reported last week, United could spend between £250 and £300 million this summer, according to football finance expert Rob Wilson, who gave an insight United's potential transfer strategy under Michael Carrick.

Preparing to cope with four competitions will be at the forefront of their mind. Casemiro's impending departure will leave a noticeable gap in the centre of the pitch but it appears United are moving quickly.

They have agreed to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson for a fee which could rise to about £37 million, according to a report from The Guardian, which suggests personal terms will not be a problem.

And they continue to be linked with a host of names, including Aurelien Tchouameni, Mateus Fernandes, Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson, who is thought to prefer a move to Manchester City.

Ederson deal suggests United will sign three midfielders this summer

On the subject of Ederson's proposed move to United, The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell believes a deal to sign the Brazilian is "at the closing stages" as he spoke on the YouTube channel Stretford Paddock.

Ederson has not been called up to play for Brazil at this summer's World Cup. Image credit: Getty

Whitwell was also asked whether a move for Ederson, who will come at a lower price compared to some of the previously mentioned, indicates that United will be chasing three midfielders rather than two.

"Yeah, I think so," he said. "You could look at it and say, well, actually, does that leave you a little bit of room for a £100 million signing? Elliot Anderson, perhaps? But I think the reality of it would be three midfielders. That feels doable.

"And I suppose that's potentially why they are going for Ederson first because he's got a year left on his contract. Atalanta really have to sell or risk losing him for nothing. So, if they're coming in at the £30 million price range with a bit more in add-ons, then that perhaps sets the bar for what United are willing to pay for midfielders.

"If they'd gone out and spent big on their first midfielder, that raises the bar in the other direction. If they go and try to get midfielder number two, number three, a club could go, well, actually, you spent £80 million on that player. We want something close to that.

"I can understand why they're going for this one first. It's also a more straightforward deal to do. You've got John Murtough, who was the football director at United, over at Atalanta now.

"You kind of feel like those relationships are well-established. Amad, Rasmus Hojlund... they know what they're talking about, and they can kind of trust each other to get to a point where they're happy with it.

"I think for all those reasons, maybe that's why they would progress with this first. I don't think he's going to be the star midfielder this summer, shall we say."

On Thursday, a report from iNews also suggested United will look to sign three midfielders this summer, with Ederson, Mateus Fernandes, Carlos Baleba and Sandro Tonali being mentioned as possible targets.