Ederson Transfer Uncertainty
Manchester United‘s pursuit of midfielder Ederson from Serie A club Atalanta is currently uncertain. An initial agreement for a £35 million fee for the Brazil international was reportedly reached on June 2. The original plan involved Ederson undergoing a medical examination in early July to finalise the transfer before the start of pre-season training. However, this timeline was disrupted when the 27-year-old received a late call-up to Carlo Ancelotti‘s World Cup squad.
It was anticipated that Ederson would complete his medical after Brazil’s elimination from the tournament. Despite Brazil being knocked out by Norway, and agreements being reached for other players like Chelsea‘s Andrey Santos and former Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow, there has been no official update regarding Ederson’s move. Conflicting reports have emerged, with some sources indicating that medical tests revealed an issue, leading one source to suggest the deal was off. Conversely, sources from both clubs deny that the deal is off, stating that no final decision has been made regarding the transfer. Ederson is believed to still be in the United States.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that an underlying knee issue has affected the transfer following a medical examination in the UK. Multiple reports on Friday evening also suggested that the Brazil international would not be moving to Old Trafford. However, Manchester United reportedly does not consider the move to be off. The club had agreed personal terms with the midfielder and a deal with Atalanta worth up to £35 million in early June. Ederson had previously expressed his eagerness to join the club, hinting during the World Cup that the move was nearly confirmed.
Midfield Reinforcement Challenges
Should the transfer for Ederson not proceed, it would represent another setback for Manchester United in what has been described as a challenging summer transfer window. After finishing third last season, the club prioritised strengthening their midfield ahead of their return to the Champions League following a two-year absence. Earlier in the window, their hopes of signing Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest did not materialise. Additionally, a move for Mateus Fernandes was complicated by a change of leadership at West Ham and interest from Tottenham, leading to a final price of £85 million, which was significantly higher than anticipated. United did offer the same figure, but it included additional payments, and Fernandes ultimately chose Tottenham.
The club has been active in other areas, with agreements reportedly reached for Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a deal worth £48 million, plus an additional £2 million in add-ons. Karl Darlow is also set to join on a free transfer after leaving Leeds United. Darlow, the goalkeeper, is expected to provide backup to Senne Lammens, with three goalkeepers anticipated to depart Old Trafford this summer. He was offered a new deal at Elland Road after making Premier League starts last season.
Other players linked with Old Trafford include Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni, for whom Bournemouth has reportedly set an £80 million valuation on Alex Scott. Sander Berge, Ayyoub Bouaddi, and Felix Nmecha have also been mentioned as potential targets, with competition from clubs like Newcastle and Arsenal. Netherlands and West Ham player Crysencio Summerville has been associated with a possible £50 million move to enhance the club’s attacking options.
Ongoing Squad Developments
Beyond midfield acquisitions, other squad developments are underway. Marcus Rashford‘s future needs to be resolved following the conclusion of his loan spell at Barcelona. The England international is expected to return to United after the World Cup as both parties work on a plan. In terms of departures, Andre Onana has returned to Trabzonspor on another season-long loan, and Casemiro has left the club after his contract expired.
United goalkeeper Senne Lammens made his World Cup debut for Belgium, coming on for the injured Courtois. He was involved in a moment where Mikel Merino scored for Spain, putting them 2-1 up. This followed Fabian Ruiz‘s opening goal for La Roja and Charles de Ketelaere‘s equaliser. Spain subsequently advanced to a semi-final match against France. Paraguay‘s Orlando Gill, the player, has also been noted for his performances at the 2026 World Cup, earning Player of the Match awards against Germany and France, and attracting interest from European clubs.
Former Manchester United midfielder Nicky Butt has expressed concerns regarding the club’s decision to sign Andrey Santos. The agreement for Santos is for an initial fee of £48 million, with potential add-ons of £2 million, bringing the total package to £50 million. Meanwhile, journalist Ross Harwood has stated that Ederson has completed his medical examinations to become a United player, following a delay after his inclusion in the Brazil squad for the World Cup. The final stages of Ederson’s move from Atalanta have been subject to speculation, with claims last week that the deal could be off, though it is understood to be ongoing pending final medical tests.
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Source: bbc.com
