Atalanta prepare five-year deal for Ederson as Manchester United's £38m move risks collapse

Atalanta are preparing a five-year contract offer for Ederson as doubts grow over the Brazilian midfielder’s £38m move to Manchester United, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano.

United had a £38m bid accepted and agreed personal terms with the 27-year-old, who also sat a medical shortly after Brazil were eliminated from the World Cup by Norway. Reports subsequently emerged that a knee issue had been identified during that examination, placing the deal in jeopardy.

Despite the uncertainty, United have publicly insisted they have not cancelled the transfer. Atalanta, however, are not waiting around. Romano reports the Italian club trust Ederson’s fitness and are confident he will remain at the club, prompting them to draw up a fresh long-term deal as a contingency.

The situation adds further frustration to what has been a difficult summer window for manager Michael Carrick. United have been left short in central midfield after losing Casemiro and seeing Manuel Ugarte suffer a serious knee injury at the World Cup. Previous targets Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali moved to Manchester City for £116m and Tottenham for £100m respectively, while Mateus Fernandes also chose Spurs over Old Trafford in an £85m deal.

One area of progress is a reported £48m agreement for Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, though Carrick has made clear the squad still needs further reinforcement. Roma’s Manu Kone and Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni continue to be linked with a move to Old Trafford.

United head into the new season on the back of a strong campaign in which summer signings Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Senne Lammens all impressed, helping Carrick steer the club to a third-place finish. The Premier League campaign begins on 22 August with an away fixture against newly promoted Hull City.