Atalanta offer Ederson five-year deal as Man United's £38m move stalls over knee injury

Atalanta are ready to offer Ederson a new five-year contract as his proposed £38m move to Manchester United hangs in the balance, with the Brazilian midfielder undergoing further medical tests in Manchester after an initial assessment flagged a knee concern.

United had a transfer fee accepted by Atalanta and agreed personal terms with Ederson, only for the process to stall when a medical detected a knee injury. Despite reports suggesting the deal could collapse, the club have insisted it has not been cancelled and remain hopeful that fresh assessments will clear the way for the move to proceed.

According to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, Atalanta are so confident in Ederson’s fitness that they are willing to tie him down to an extended deal should United ultimately walk away. The Serie A club’s willingness to offer a five-year contract signals their belief that the knee issue will not prove serious — while simultaneously giving them leverage if the Premier League side pulls out.

The saga has been complicated by timing. United agreed the £38m fee last month, but a medical could not be arranged immediately because Ederson was representing Brazil at the World Cup. After Brazil were eliminated by Norway in the round of 16, a swift announcement had been widely anticipated before the knee concern emerged.

While the Ederson situation remains unresolved, United are also closing in on Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos in a deal believed to be worth an initial £48m. The club are under pressure to strengthen their midfield options quickly. Manuel Ugarte suffered a knee injury at the World Cup, and Casemiro has departed, leaving Kobbie Mainoo as the only senior central midfielder available to manager Michael Carrick.

The current window has proven more complicated than last summer, when United moved decisively to sign Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Senne Lammens. Chief football operations officer Omar Berrada had pledged in June that the club would follow a similar blueprint this time around, but the Ederson delay illustrates how quickly transfer plans can be disrupted by medical complications.