Atalanta director confirms Ederson contract talks as United's £38m deal unravels

Manchester United’s pursuit of Atalanta midfielder Ederson appears to be collapsing, with the Serie A club’s director Cristiano Giuntoli confirming they are now working on a new contract to keep the 27-year-old in Bergamo. United had agreed a £38 million fee for the Brazilian in early June, but the deal has since stalled over medical concerns related to a knee injury Ederson sustained last season.

Giuntoli made no attempt to hide his frustration at the situation. “We were stunned [by Man United calling the Ederson deal off],” he said. “Now we are working on a new contract for him.”

Ederson had publicly hinted during the World Cup that his move to Old Trafford was close to being finalised, making the reversal all the more striking. Colleagues at the Manchester Evening News understand United may seek to renegotiate the terms of the agreement rather than abandon it entirely, though Atalanta’s willingness to offer him fresh terms suggests the Italian club are preparing for him to stay.

The breakdown leaves a notable gap in United’s midfield rebuild. Casemiro departed as a free agent this summer, while Manuel Ugarte — expected to be sold — has instead been sidelined for an extended period with cruciate ligament damage. United have moved to address the situation elsewhere, confirming the £50 million signing of Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea and closing in on Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans after triggering his £35 million release clause.

The club’s summer business has not been without its frustrations. A move for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson collapsed when the fee exceeded £110 million, a price United were unwilling to meet. They then turned to West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, only for the Portuguese midfielder to join Tottenham Hotspur after Spurs tabled a guaranteed £85 million offer.

With Kobbie Mainoo still involved at the World Cup with England, United were set to begin their pre-season tour against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July with Mason Mount as the sole recognised senior central midfielder available — underscoring the urgency of resolving their midfield situation before the new season.