Manchester United's £38 million deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson is in serious doubt after the Serie A club confirmed they are now working on a new contract for the Brazilian. Atalanta director Cristiano Giuntoli expressed surprise that the move had been called off by the Premier League club, citing medical concerns over a knee injury Ederson sustained last season.
Atalanta Director Confirms New Contract Talks
Giuntoli told reporters: "We were stunned [by Man United calling Ederson deal off]. Now we are working on a new contract for him." The 27-year-old had been keen on a switch to Old Trafford and hinted during the World Cup that the move was all but done. However, United's medical team flagged issues with his knee, leading to the deal being put on hold.
United's Midfield Overhaul Continues
Despite the Ederson setback, United have been active in the transfer market. The club confirmed the £50 million capture of Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea on Monday. They are also poised to trigger Aston Villa's Youri Tielemans' £35 million release clause. These moves come as United look to rebuild their midfield after Casemiro departed as a free agent this summer.
Manuel Ugarte was expected to be offloaded, but the Uruguay international has been sidelined with cruciate ligament damage. With Kobbie Mainoo still at the World Cup with England, manager Michael Carrick faces the start of the pre-season tour with Mason Mount as the sole recognised senior midfielder in the squad.
Other Transfer Targets Fall Through
United's pursuit of Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson collapsed when the deal exceeded £110 million, a price the club were unwilling to pay. They then switched focus to West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, but the Portuguese midfielder instead joined Tottenham Hotspur after the north London side tabled a guaranteed £85 million offer.
Pre-Season Fixtures Ahead
Carrick's side will face Wrexham in Helsinki on July 18, followed by matches against Rosenberg in Trondheim, Norway, and Atletico Madrid in Stockholm, Sweden, between July 18 and August 1. The uncertainty over Ederson's future adds to the challenges facing United as they prepare for the new season.
