Manchester United's pursuit of Atalanta midfielder Ederson has taken a dramatic turn, with reports from leading transfer journalists Fabrizio Romano and Gianluca Di Marzio indicating that the deal has collapsed. This development, emerging late on Friday, July 10th, casts significant doubt over United's midfield reinforcement plans, despite earlier agreements for the Brazil international. However, Sky Sports maintains that the medical process is still ongoing, and United sources deny the deal is off, adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
The Reported Collapse
Fabrizio Romano, a prominent voice in transfer news, explicitly stated on social media that the Ederson to Manchester United deal is "OFF and considered as collapsed" as United informed Atalanta of their decision. Romano further reported that Atalanta, for their part, believe Ederson is "100% fit" and are prepared to reintegrate the midfielder into their squad, suggesting a change of plans from the Old Trafford club. This sentiment was echoed by Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, whose website, gianlucadimarzio.com, published an update late on Friday, July 10th, confirming that Ederson's transfer to Manchester United had "fallen through."
Initial reports had suggested that United and Atalanta had reached an agreement for the 27-year-old midfielder, with a fee believed to be in the region of $73 million (£58 million). The official confirmation was reportedly put on hold during Brazil's FIFA World Cup campaign in North America, where Ederson was part of the squad.
Conflicting Narratives and Medical Concerns
Despite the definitive reports from Romano and Di Marzio, Sky Sports has presented a different account. According to their sources, Manchester United have denied that the deal is off, insisting that a thorough medical process for Ederson is still underway and no final decision has been made to terminate the transfer. This conflicting information highlights the fluid and often opaque nature of high-profile transfer negotiations.
Reports suggest that the uncertainty surrounding the deal stems from concerns over Ederson's knee. United had reportedly requested additional intensive medical tests before giving the all-clear. Italian media outlets have speculated that United might have used the medical as a pretext to withdraw from the transfer, potentially to pursue other targets such as Roma and France international Manu Koné, who has impressed at the ongoing 2026 World Cup.
What it means
The potential collapse of the Ederson deal represents a significant setback for Manchester United's summer transfer strategy. The club has been actively seeking to bolster its midfield, and Ederson was seen as a key target to add dynamism and steel to Erik ten Hag's squad. While United have reportedly agreed deals for other midfielders like Andrey Santos and goalkeeper Karl Darlow, the Ederson saga underscores the challenges of securing top talent in a competitive market, especially when medical issues or a change in club priorities emerge.
For Atalanta, if the deal is indeed off, it means retaining a crucial player who was instrumental in their recent successes. Their confidence in Ederson's fitness, as reported by Romano, suggests they are ready to move forward with him. For Ederson himself, it's a period of uncertainty, with a dream move to the Premier League champions potentially slipping away, or at least being significantly delayed. His involvement with Brazil at the World Cup 2026, though ending in the Round of 16, kept him in the spotlight, but also possibly complicated the final stages of his club transfer.
What's next
Manchester United will now face increased scrutiny regarding their midfield recruitment. If the Ederson deal is truly off, the club will need to swiftly identify and pursue alternative targets to avoid entering the new season with a perceived gap in their squad. The speculation around Manu Koné suggests United's scouting network is already exploring other options.
For Ederson, the immediate future lies with Atalanta, where he is expected to return for pre-season preparations, assuming no other club makes a late, successful bid. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether United's stance remains firm or if further negotiations could revive the deal, especially if the medical concerns are definitively resolved or deemed less severe than initially reported. The transfer window remains open until September 1st, leaving time for further twists and turns.
Kickoff XI is an independent publication and is not affiliated with FIFA.
