AFCON 2025
Manchester United have pulled out of their agreement to sign Atalanta and Brazil midfielder Ederson, collapsing a deal reportedly worth up to €45 million. The deal was set to be confirmed in July, with agreement reached with Atalanta since June. Ederson’s participation at the World Cup with Brazil further delayed the announcement as he joined the five-time world champions as a late replacement for Wesley. However, the deal is now off the table according to multiple sources. Here’s a breakdown of the key reasons behind the sudden U-turn.
1. Concerns Over A Long-Term Knee Injury
United’s medical staff flagged worries about a possible long-term knee problem during Ederson’s examinations. Sources point to a previous meniscus injury in his history, which has sparked suggestions of deeper, ongoing issues with the knee. This appears to be the central factor United cited internally for stepping away from the transfer.
2. Extra Medical Tests After The World Cup Raised More Doubts Than They Settled
The move was delayed while Ederson was away with Brazil at the World Cup, with United requesting additional intensive medical tests once his international campaign ended. Rather than clearing up the uncertainty, those follow-up checks appear to have hardened United’s doubts. Within 48 hours of completing the tests, the club informed Atalanta that they were walking away entirely.
3. A Change Of Plans, According To Atalanta
Atalanta strongly disputes the injury narrative. The Serie A club insists Ederson is fully fit and argues he would never have been part of Brazil’s World Cup squad had he been carrying a serious knee issue. Their read on the situation is that United simply changed their stance on the move rather than being forced out by medical results, a view echoed in transfer reporting suggesting United’s priorities shifted after finalising a separate midfield addition in Andrey Santos from Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have been linked with a couple of midfielders, including Roma’s Manu Kone, who is currently with the French national team at the ongoing World Cup, Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, and long-term target Carlos Baleba, among other options.
