Manchester United are closing in on their first signing of the summer transfer window.
After confirming Michael Carrick as the club’s permanent manager following a remarkable turnaround during the second half of the season, Man United are now planning to improve the first-team squad.
Having sealed a top-three finish, Man Utd have qualified for the Champions League next season, thus at least eight extra games will be on the table.
As such, the priority for Carrick has been to find a replacement - or two - for Casemiro, who will depart after four years in Manchester at the end of the month.
Amid strong links to Atalanta midfielder Ederson, it has now been reported by The Athletic that a deal has been struck to make the Brazilian the first new arrival at Old Trafford this summer.
According to the report, Man United will pay a €40.5million (£34.9million) fixed fee plus €4.5m (£3.8m) of potential bonuses, while Ederson has been presented with a four-year contract which includes the option of an additional 12 months.
The 26-year-old still has to undergo a medical before there can be an official announcement, followed by confirmation of something of even greater importance - the shirt number.
Throughout his senior career, Ederson has worn one particular squad number. Since the 2020-21 season in Brazil with Fortaleza, he has worn No13, sticking with it at Salernitana and subsequently at Atalanta over the past four campaigns.
Previously he had worn No40 at Cruzeiro before switching to No15 at Corinthians. Meanwhile for the Brazil national team, Ederson has worn No8, No17 and No24 since breaking into the senior team in 2024.
Interestingly, Ederson's favoured shirt number mentioned is not available at Man United. The No13 currently belongs to Patrick Dorgu, meaning the Brazilian may have to settle for something different.
Other vacant senior shirt numbers at the Old Trafford right now are No14, No17 - previously worn by compatriot Fred - No20, No27, No28 and No29.
Once Casemiro officially leaves the club, then the No18 shirt will also become vacant and that squad number has previously been worn by Paul Scholes, Ashley Young and captain Bruno Fernandes.
