Ederson perplexed after Manchester United transfer collapses

Ederson, the 27-year-old Brazil and Atalanta midfielder, said he remains baffled by the collapse of a proposed move to Manchester United to Old Trafford this summer. The Premier League club had agreed a deal worth around £35 million with Atalanta before abandoning the transfer.

Ederson said he believed the move was progressing normally and had been expected to be Michael Carrick's first major signing as the club's permanent manager. Reports suggested concerns emerged during his medical, particularly around his knee, but Ederson insisted the tests went well. "I honestly don't know what happened. I always had interest from other clubs, and I could've gone to another English side," he told reporters.

The midfielder was included in Brazil's World Cup squad and was in the United States when the initial stages of his medical were conducted. English reports claimed United's medical team detected a knee issue and sought further examinations before deciding not to proceed. From Ederson's perspective, however, there was no sign that the medical had raised a serious concern: "The tests went well, I don't know what changed. I've been with Atalanta for four years and always played."

While preparing for the move, Ederson had reportedly turned down other options. With the Manchester United transfer collapsing, he chose to remain in Bergamo and signed a new contract with Atalanta. "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," he said, adding: "I am very happy to remain with Atalanta, I really thank the club and Luca Percassi."

Ederson entered the summer with only a year remaining on his previous Atalanta contract, a situation that helped Manchester United negotiate a relatively modest fee for a midfielder who had become an important part of Gian Piero Gasperini's side. Manchester United subsequently altered their midfield recruitment, signing Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa for around £35 million and Andrey Santos from Chelsea in a deal worth approximately £48 million. The club has also reportedly pushed to bring Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, the Cameroon international, to Old Trafford.

The failed transfer concluded with Ederson signing a new contract and preparing for another season in Serie A with Atalanta. He appears content with how events unfolded and remains part of Gian Piero Gasperini's squad for the coming campaign.