Former Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves says he expects Atalanta star Ederson to be snapped up by another team this summer.
The Brazilian impressed during Atalanta’s 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League final on Wednesday night and, speaking after the match, Hargreaves reserved special praise for the player:
“Ederson, 24 years old, someone is going to pick him up by the way. This is a conveyor belt of talent [at Atalanta], selling players and they’ve done an amazing job with him, he looks tailor-made for anybody’s midfield, he’s like two players in there.”
United have been linked with Ederson in recent months. Reports in the Brazilian media back in early January claimed that the Red Devils had made enquiries (along with Liverpool, Newcastle, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain) but a deal never materialised.
Strengthening the midfield is a key priority for United
With Casemiro and Christian Eriksen both tipped to leave Old Trafford at the end of the season, and Sofyan Amrabat returning to Fiorentina after his loan spell, there is room for another body in midfield.
Ederson clearly has the stamina and the work rate that the Red Devils have been desperately lacking in that area for quite some time so he could be a perfect addition to the squad if he is available for the right price.
Atalanta are reluctant to let Ederson go
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has raised questions about the 24-year-old’s availability. While there was talk at the start of the year that Atalanta could offload him for €40m (£34m), the Serie A side are now more hesitant about a sale.
The main reason for that is the probable departure of Teun Koopmeiners. The Dutchman has already stated that he wants to be sold, and there is little appetite for both him and Ederson to leave in the same transfer window.
