Romano reveals Man Utd plan after Ederson as £50.5m player heads for exit

Manchester United have completed a deal to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson Silva – and Fabrizio Romano has confirmed it will not be the only midfield business the club does this summer.

Romano broke the news alongside The Athletic’s David Ornstein, confirming the agreement is in place for the 26-year-old Serie A standout. The deal is understood to be worth around £35m plus add-ons, with Ederson set to sign a five-year contract tying him to Old Trafford until 2031.

The signing comes as United brace for a significant midfield clearout – and one player who cost £50.5m just a year ago is among those heading for the exit.

What Romano Has Said About United’s Midfield Plan

Romano has been emphatic that Ederson is just the opening move in a busy summer rebuild for Michael Carrick’s side. Posting on X, Romano wrote: “Ederson will only be the first midfield signing at Man United, at least another one has been planned. Casemiro and Ugarte to leave so #MUFC will add one more, could be two under certain conditions.”

He expanded further on YouTube, saying United “will do many other things on the market” in the weeks ahead. Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest and Brighton’s Carlos Baleba have both been identified as targets to fill that second midfield slot.

Ederson himself rejected interest from other clubs to make this happen – Romano reported that the Brazilian told his camp “I wait for Utd,” having previously agreed personal terms with Atlético Madrid before that move collapsed over Atalanta’s valuation.

The £50.5m Exit That Opens the Door

Manuel Ugarte is leaving Manchester United this summer. Signed from Paris Saint-Germain for £50.5m in 2024, the Uruguayan never fully convinced at Old Trafford and Romano has confirmed his departure alongside Casemiro’s expected exit to the Saudi Pro League.

Offloading both players is central to INEOS’ wage-bill reset – freeing up financial headroom that makes the push for a second midfielder significantly more viable under PSR constraints. It is shrewd housekeeping as much as it is squad planning. United fans looking for broader context on this summer’s clearout will already be familiar with the ongoing Jadon Sancho situation at Borussia Dortmund, another piece of unfinished business from recent windows.

Ederson: Why United Wanted Him

Ederson made 41 appearances for Atalanta across all competitions in 2025-26, chipping in with 3 goals and 2 assists operating as a box-to-box and defensive midfielder under Gian Piero Gasperini. He informed Atalanta he would not sign a new contract and wanted to leave – effectively forcing the sale and giving United the leverage to land him at a workable fee.

His physical, ball-winning profile is seen as a natural evolution from Casemiro’s role, and United have been backing their recruitment with serious intent this summer. The fact he turned down rival suitors to wait for United says plenty about where his head was at throughout.

What United’s Summer Business Looks Like Now

Andre Onana adds another layer of complexity to the summer. Romano confirmed the goalkeeper will return from his loan at Trabzonspor to begin pre-season under Carrick, though the Turkish club are keen on a further loan through to June 2027 – talks between all parties are expected to follow.

With Ederson confirmed, Casemiro and Ugarte on their way out, and at least one more midfielder firmly on the agenda, United are set to be very busy over the coming weeks. The question now is whether Carrick gets two new midfielders or just one – and whether Anderson, Baleba, or someone else entirely ends up being the name on that second shirt.