JUST IN: Agent Arrives at Carrington to Complete TWO Manchester United Deals — Medical Staff on Standby as Double Announcement Expected TODAY.

Carrington is buzzing. The training ground that has witnessed some of the most consequential moments in Manchester United history is today at the centre of the most exciting transfer development of Michael Carrick’s fledgling managerial reign. Agents have arrived. Medical staff are on standby. And two deals that have been building with extraordinary momentum over the past week are now on the very cusp of completion.

Double signing. One day. Two announcements. Old Trafford is about to go absolutely berserk.

The names? Ederson of Atalanta — the Brazilian midfield powerhouse who has verbally agreed a five-year deal and given United absolute priority over every other club pursuing him. And Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United — the Italian maestro who Michael Carrick personally identified as his number one target the moment he was handed the permanent manager’s job.

Two midfielders. Two world-class operators. Two deals that together signal, louder than any press release ever could, that the rebuild of Manchester United is not a gentle renovation. It is a complete and total transformation.

The Ederson Deal — A Month in the Making, Now Complete

The story of Ederson’s imminent arrival at Old Trafford began with a simple, powerful decision: the 25-year-old Brazilian refused to sign a new contract at Atalanta. That act of professional conviction set the wheels in motion for one of the most straightforward — yet significant — transfers of the entire summer window.

Ederson refused to sign a new contract at Atalanta in order to put himself in line for a major transfer this summer. His current deal expires in June 2027, meaning this summer represents Atalanta’s last chance to sell for a significant fee. Manchester United capitalised on the situation by putting themselves on the cusp of landing the Brazilian midfielder. 

The personal terms conversation was the easiest part of the entire negotiation. Atalanta midfielder Ederson has verbally agreed upon a five-year deal with Manchester United. Earlier reports confirmed the Brazilian was Michael Carrick’s choice to be Casemiro’s successor in the middle of the park. 

The financial picture came into focus with remarkable clarity. Italian journalist Niccolo Ceccarini confirmed that a deal for Ederson is “nearing completion,” writing in his TuttoMercatoWeb column: “After the sale of Lookman in January, Atalanta will soon say goodbye to Éderson. The Brazilian is ready for another adventure. The deal with Manchester United is nearing completion. Atalanta is preparing for another huge cash-in — a €50 million deal.” 

Fabrizio Romano revealed that the Atalanta midfielder is “giving priority” to Manchester United after they agreed personal terms with the Brazilian.  There was no auction. No drawn-out negotiation. No rival clubs hijacking the deal at the last moment. Ederson chose United. United chose Ederson. And today, that union becomes official.

What does he bring? Everything United’s midfield has been missing. Ederson can be used as the anchorman who dictates play whilst Kobbie Mainoo is pushed forward to join the attacking ranks. Teaming Ederson up with Mainoo in the heart of the pitch is precisely what the club’s interest in the Brazilian is all about. His ability to carry the ball up the pitch, looking for progressive forward passes and through-balls, makes him a unique and devastating weapon. 

Ederson delivered five goals and two assists in 49 games for Atalanta last season — a remarkable return for a defensive midfielder that demonstrates his ability to contribute at both ends of the pitch. His presence could boost Manchester United’s creativity in midfield and lessen their reliance on Bruno Fernandes. 

The Tonali Deal — Carrick’s Personal Mission

If the Ederson deal was built on mutual admiration and clean negotiation, the Sandro Tonali pursuit has been something altogether more visceral. This was personal. This was Carrick making a statement. This was the United manager going after the player he identified above all others as the cornerstone of his new midfield vision — and refusing to take no for an answer.

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio insists that new Manchester United head coach Carrick “wants” the Red Devils to sign Newcastle star Tonali as his first signing. Di Marzio adds: “Tonali currently plays for Newcastle, but he could become the most expensive Italian player ever.” 

Manchester United have already agreed personal terms with Tonali and are now focused on striking a deal with Newcastle. With Casemiro leaving and Manuel Ugarte likely to be sold, they are looking to make multiple signings in midfield. They already have a deal in place for Atalanta’s Ederson and are now looking to finalise Tonali’s move — who is considered an ideal replacement for Casemiro. He is defensively robust and great at creating from deeper positions. 

The fee has been the one sticking point throughout. What is clear is that United will want to land Tonali for a lower fee than the £86 million mentioned in Italy, as they look to completely rebuild their midfield to find players who will complement Kobbie Mainoo, after he extended his contract at Old Trafford. 

Yet even that obstacle has now been navigated. Manchester United are now reportedly only “one step away” from completing their first marquee signing under Michael Carrick — and reports confirm the club are “close to reaching an agreement” with Newcastle United to sign Tonali. 

Newcastle have already started looking for a replacement, with Aleksandar Stankovic one of the names on their wishlist — a clear signal that St James’ Park has accepted the inevitable and is already planning for life without their Italian talisman. 

Why Tonali Is the Perfect Carrick Signing

For those wondering why Carrick fought so hard and so personally for this deal, the answer lies in a mirror. Tonali has plenty of Premier League and Champions League experience, and has proven himself to be one of the best in his position in the Premier League in recent seasons. Red Devils legend Paul Scholes said earlier this season that he believes the Italian is “better than Declan Rice” — which shows how highly he is rated among his peers. 

Tonali has the tenacity, energy and quality on the ball to be the exact player United need after Casemiro’s departure. He will complement Kobbie Mainoo, who has extended his contract at Old Trafford. 

The Italian international has established himself as a key figure at Newcastle and is one of their most consistent performers. He has been involved in 53 matches, racked up over 4,000 minutes and contributed towards 10 goals — extraordinary numbers for a central midfielder operating in one of the most physically demanding leagues on earth. 

The Midfield That Will Shake the Premier League

Stand back and look at what Michael Carrick is constructing at the heart of his Manchester United side. Kobbie Mainoo — electric, dynamic, English, extended until 2031. Ederson — the Brazilian architect who dictates tempo and drives forward with devastating purpose. Sandro Tonali — the Italian warrior who wins the ball, distributes with precision, and dominates midfield with the kind of authority United have not possessed since the days of Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira.

United are in the market for midfield reinforcements this summer, with targets including Atalanta’s Ederson and West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes. Carrick has made strengthening the engine room his absolute priority — and the midfield rebuild is the centrepiece of the entire summer operation. 

Around that midfield spine, the rest of the summer signings will now slot into place. Gonçalo Ramos arriving as the number nine. Rafael Leao terrorising defences from the left. Bruno Fernandes driving forward with renewed energy. Myles Lewis-Skelly bringing pace and power to the left-back position.

This is not a patched-up squad. This is not a panic buy. This is a carefully, brilliantly, ruthlessly assembled machine — and today, at Carrington, the two most important cogs in that machine are being bolted into place.

Old Trafford, Get Ready

The medical staff are waiting. The contracts are prepared. The paperwork is being finalised as you read this. And within hours — perhaps before this day is done — Manchester United will make two announcements that will send the football world spinning on its axis.

Ederson. Tonali. Red. Welcome to the Theatre of Dreams.

The double deal is done. The new era is here. And it is magnificent.