INEOS plot £46m swoop for dynamic EL-winning midfielder who ‘shocked’ Liverpool scouts

It’s no surprise that, after such a torrid start to the 2024/2025 campaign, INEOS are back to the drawing board in plotting how they can bolster the Manchester United squad in January. 

January has proven to be an overtly quiet month for the Red Devils in recent years, with the manager largely reduced to exclusively loan signings.

However, the forthcoming winter window marks the first of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s tenure as part-owner of United. The transfer chiefs at INEOS proved they were more than happy to splash the cash and obey Erik ten Hag’s demands in the summer – spending an estimated £205.9 million (Sky Sports) – so could well look to reinforce the struggling squad at the next opportunity they have to do so.

With the midfield undoubtedly one area in need of strengthening ahead of Christian Eriksen’s contract expiring in June, and amidst Casemiro’s rapidly declining form, United have again found themselves linked with Ederson of Atalanta.

The Brazilian midfielder is fresh off the back of being crowned a Europa League champion earlier this year – at the time putting an end to Bayer Leverkusen’s unprecedented unbeaten streak when they were defeated 3-0 by the dominant Italian outfit. Ederson had been integral in his side’s progression to the final but was unable to etch his name onto the scoresheet in the victory.

Ederson links reignite at Old Trafford

Only last month did TNT Sports in Brazil relay reports that United were spearheading a host of European clubs’ interest in the 25-year-old, who is said to have ‘shocked’ Liverpool scouts when they watched him in action for Atalanta last season, while La Gazzetta dello Sport now claims that the Reds would be willing to pay a package deal worth £46m to beat the likes of Newcastle United and Juventus to Ederson’s signature.