Ederson: Man United’s deal for Atalanta star takes sharp twist

Manchester United were expected to finalise a deal for Brazilian midfielder Ederson this week after an agreement was struck with Atalanta last month, but the move is now hanging in the balance, according to a new report.

Delayed By The World Cup

Ederson, 27, has been a long-term target for the Red Devils, with multiple approaches made for the São Paulo native in recent years. However, Atalanta’s prohibitive asking price – believed to be as high as £70 million last summer – prevented a deal from progressing, despite the midfielder having many admirers at Old Trafford.

But with Ederson’s contract expiring next year, La Dea have changed their stance, softening their valuation to ensure they still receive a sizeable fee, rather than risk losing the player for nothing in twelve months’ time.

Ederson Stats: 2025/26 Season

Initially, Atletico Madrid were understood to be frontrunners, with Diego Simeone believing the Brazil international’s all-action style, predicated on hard yards and aggressive duel-winning, suited Los Colchoneros’ system perfectly.

Sensing a market opportunity for a versatile midfielder on a cut-price deal, Manchester United launched a hijack, quickly securing buy-in from Ederson, who communicated his desire to complete a switch to M16.

After rounds of negotiations between INEOS and their counterparts in Bergamo, a £35 million deal with £3.8 million in add-ons was agreed at the beginning of June. Ederson has been expected to fly to Manchester to finalise the move after completing a medical.

However, an injury to Brazilian right-back Wesley led Carlo Ancelotti to make a late call-up for the World Cup squad, delaying the transfer. Once Brazil’s tournament in North America came to an end – as it did on Sunday evening against Norway – the expectation was for it to be completed, pending a fresh medical.

The Deal Has Stalled

But in an explosive twist, Manchester United are understood to want to “conduct a thorough” exam of Ederson before deciding to proceed with the move. Where he had looked locked in to become a Red Devil, there was now fresh doubt.

And this has ramped up with ESPN Brazil reporter Felipe Silva claiming the deal is currently “stalled”, just hours after a £50 million bid was tabled by United for his countryman, Andrey Santos.

Chelsea have accepted the proposal, and the 22-year-old midfielder – a player with a similar profile to Ederson – is expected to complete his medical at Old Trafford tomorrow. Inside sources reveal United’s hierarchy consider the deal a coup, owing to Santos’ potential, with many in Brazil viewing him as a successor to Casemiro.

But it calls into question whether the club intends to follow through on their agreement for Ederson, with Fabrizio Romano revealing United want certain “guarantees before signing off [on] the deal with Atalanta.”

🚨⚠️ Éderson second part of medical will take place this week in England: Man United want guarantees before signing off the deal with Atalanta.

All set for €45m since one month ago but waiting on extra medical check next. 🇧🇷

🎥➕ https://t.co/Ho91uqLvT1 pic.twitter.com/B5ez2WbOmw

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 8, 2026

Tweet: “Éderson second part of medical will take place this week in England: Man United want guarantees before signing off the deal with Atalanta. All set for €45m since one month ago but waiting on extra medical check next.”

Final Thoughts

A last-minute pivot from Ederson to Santos would be a brutal, albeit wise, decision, even if The Peoples Person advises waiting for a more reliable source on the ‘stalled’ nature of the deal. But the fact that Romano claims INEOS remain intent on securing “guarantees” before signing off on a transfer that was all but guaranteed suggests this is not the last twist to be expected in this tale.

Featured image Omar Vega via Getty Images

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