Atalanta star Ederson has taken issue with the collapse of his move to Manchester United, claiming he passed his medical and does not know what changed after the Red Devils backed out of signing him.
During their search for midfield recruits, the Premier League giants secured a deal to sign the Brazilian earlier in the summer but later pulled the plug on the deal for the 27-year-old. United had been set to pay £39 million for Ederson.
Medical dispute and new contract
Those in Manchester claimed the initial medical showed that the player had a knee problem, and they instead turned their attention to other targets. Ederson has since signed a new contract with Atalanta and concedes he is still confused as to why the deal did not go through, with the player turning down other interested parties as he prepared to move to Old Trafford.
He said: "I honestly don’t know what happened. I always had interest from other clubs, and I could’ve gone to another English side. The tests went well, I don’t know what changed. I’ve been with Atalanta for four years and always played. I could’ve just waited to see what happened, but the great rapport with the club convinced me to stay and sign a new contract."
World Cup call-up and medical logistics
Ederson received a late call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad after Roma defender Wesley was injured, which meant that United had to conduct the first part of the medical in the US. Once the knee problem was identified, United scheduled a full medical and later decided not to go through with the deal despite agreeing terms with Ederson.
United had maintained their original plan was to complete the transfer in early July after the structure of the deal and personal terms were agreed with Atalanta and the player.
United's alternative midfield targets
Michael Carrick has since pursued proven Premier League talent and have spent a combined £85 million to secure the services of Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa and Andrey Santos, who was at Chelsea. Now they have turned their attention to Carlos Baleba, the Brighton midfielder who was linked with a move to Old Trafford 12 months ago.
United's only major summer recruits have been in midfield despite a desire to also bring in a left-back and a forward. Newcastle's Lewis Hall has been linked but the Magpies are determined to fend off any bids.
