Ederson gutted as £35m Manchester United move collapses over fitness doubts
The Atalanta midfielder saw his dream switch to Old Trafford fall through at the eleventh hour after medical concerns prompted United to pull out.
Manchester United have pulled the plug on a £35 million deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with the Brazilian left bitterly disappointed to miss out on what he considered a dream move to Old Trafford. The transfer had been all but wrapped up, but concerns over the player's fitness - including reports that he failed part of his medical - forced the club to abort negotiations at an advanced stage.
The Red Devils had agreed terms with the Serie A side and Ederson was already in England expecting to complete the switch, but United's medical team flagged issues that proved insurmountable. Atalanta maintain the 25-year-old is fully fit and ready to play regularly, but the Premier League giants decided against pushing the transfer through despite the advanced stage of discussions.
Ederson, who had spoken openly about his desire to play for Manchester United, is said to be upset by the turn of events. The midfielder has since left England and will go on holiday before returning to Atalanta for pre-season. Sources close to the player confirm that the deal is now dead, with no prospect of resurrection in this window.
Fabrizio Romano has provided the clearest picture of what went wrong, noting that Atalanta informed Ederson he had to return to Bergamo because Old Trafford officials had decided not to sign him. The Italian journalist added that the player's camp accepted the situation, even if they were disappointed. United have not yet issued a formal statement on the collapse, but Romano insists the decision is final and has been communicated to all parties.
The midfield setback leaves Manchester United with a significant gap to fill before the season begins. Casemiro left on a free transfer earlier in the summer, while Manuel Ugarte remains sidelined with an injury that could keep him out for some time. The club have been linked with Chelsea's Andrey Santos, but that deal alone may not be enough to address the shortage in the engine room.
Ederson had impressed in Serie A with his combative style and ability to break up play, making him an attractive target for Erik ten Hag's side. Yet the medical red flags appear to have been a deal-breaker, and United's caution may prove prudent if the player struggles with fitness issues down the line. For now, both parties must move on, with Atalanta ready to welcome their man back and United scouring the market for alternative targets.