Brazil international Éderson has confirmed he is close to finalising a transfer to Manchester United, telling Sky in Italy: “It’s practically all done.

“But I have to take advantage of this moment. I’m here [at the World Cup], it’s a beautiful thing that must be enjoyed to the fullest.”

The move is expected to be completed later this summer once the World Cup concludes. United have identified midfield as their primary area of reinforcement and view Éderson as an economical first signing as they plan further arrivals.

Casemiro’s exit has left Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte as the only natural midfield options in Michael Carrick’s squad, and the Uruguay international is expected to depart as well. That situation has sharpened the club’s focus on recruiting at least two midfield additions.

United are prepared to spend on midfield reinforcements but are conscious of budget and value. With Éderson entering the final year of his Atalanta contract, the club moved quickly to secure a cut-price deal as part of a wider recruitment plan.

Attention now turns to securing a headline signing to complete the rebuild. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson had been under consideration, but Manchester City’s pursuit of the player has complicated United’s chances and prompted them to widen their search.

Mateus Fernandes of West Ham United has risen to the top of United’s priority list. The 21-year-old is known to attract interest from a host of leading clubs, including Real Madrid, and United acknowledge he will not be a straightforward acquisition.

As contingency options, United are also monitoring Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba. Each of those targets is expected to command significant fees, reflecting the scale of the midfield overhaul the club intends to undertake.

Manchester United expect Marcus Rashford to rejoin preseason after the 2026 World Cup, with the club’s position only changing if a permanent move is agreed before then. The 28-year-old came off the bench for England against Croatia and scored, his second international goal in almost three years after also netting in September’s win over Serbia.

Rashford remains a United player under contract until 2028 and “fully welcome back.” He was included alongside Bruno Fernandes in a daily World Cup roundup on the club’s website the morning after his England display. BBC Sport reports the player is expected to report for preseason at Carrington once his mandatory post-World Cup, three-week holiday is over. That plan will only change should a move be arranged before that time.

A season at Barcelona in 2025–26 served as a reset after a difficult 2024 at United. He registered 28 goals and assists for Barcelona and made almost 50 appearances across all competitions. Barcelona did not exercise their option to buy because it made more financial sense to sign Anthony Gordon instead.

Reports this week outlined a $52.9 million (£40 million) release clause, triggerable by any clubs other than Manchester City or Liverpool. That figure is almost twice the option Barcelona passed in the region of $35 million (£26 million) and positions Rashford attractively on the market.

Five clubs stand out in the reporting as plausible suitors. Aston Villa could make sense: Rashford valued his loan at Villa Park under Unai Emery, Villa return to Champions League football for 2026–27 and they have a clear vacancy on the left following Jadon Sancho’s exit. Newcastle could also be interested after a season hampered by Champions League demands and the sale of Anthony Gordon. Napoli are named as a possible destination after helping other former United players rebuild and with question marks over Romelu Lukaku. Paris Saint-Germain represent another option given their rotation in pursuit of a Champions League triple and links around Bradley Barcola. Bayern Munich remain a long-term example of a club that can reinvigorate a player’s career.

If Rashford wants to remain at United, that is possible; if he seeks a permanent exit, the release clause creates a clear pathway for interested clubs.

Manchester United are “paying serious attention” to West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville as part of their search for a left-sided wide player this summer. Sources suggest the club view Summerville as one of several candidates while evaluating alternatives and squad options.

Summerville, 24, drew fresh interest after an impressive World Cup showing against Japan in which he scored and offered a combative display off the ball. The Athletic reports Manchester United have “enquired” about his situation. At an estimated $67.1 million (£50 million) he sits at the lower end of the price range compared with other reported targets.

Other names United have considered include Yan Diomande, Iliman Ndiaye, Morgan Rogers and Bradley Barcola. Leipzig are likely to demand about $116 million (€100 million, £86.5 million) for Diomande, a figure that would place him well above Summerville and potentially push any move beyond the immediate window. Barcola has been linked amid reports of frustration over his minutes at Paris Saint-Germain.

Domestically, reintegrating Marcus Rashford remains a discussed option within the club, although it may be regarded as a last resort. Michael Carrick has not ruled out that path while also acknowledging the desire to add a new wide player.

Summerville’s form last season included a run of four successive Premier League goals in January after an indifferent start to 2025–26, but a minor injury in March interrupted his momentum and reduced his influence in the closing weeks.

West Ham paid roughly half of the reported United valuation to sign Summerville from Leeds United in 2024. Relegation has increased the likelihood of interest in the club’s top performers, a list that also contains midfield target Mateus Fernandes and attacker Jarrod Bowen.

Daniel Křetínský, the incoming principal shareholder at West Ham, has insisted the club will not sell for financial reasons. “We have a very credible strategy,” Křetínský told The Times. “We don’t need to sell the players for financial reasons. We are doing this to make sure we are promoted back to the Premier League immediately. That is our only goal.”