Ederson's Brazil World Cup call-up pushes back Manchester United medical and signing

Manchester United’s £35million signing of Atalanta midfielder Ederson has been delayed after the 26-year-old received a late call-up to Brazil’s World Cup squad, forcing the club to rework its transfer timeline.

United had finalised terms with Atalanta — a fee of £35million plus up to £3.8million in add-ons — and agreed a four-year contract with the option of a fifth year with the player himself. The only remaining steps were a medical and the signing of paperwork, both of which had been scheduled for early July.

Those plans were disrupted on Sunday when Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti named Ederson as a replacement for injured full-back Wesley in the Selecao’s 26-man squad. Ederson joined his international teammates at their Columbia Park training base in New Jersey on Monday, with Brazil opening their tournament against Morocco on Saturday.

While it is not impossible for Ederson to complete the formalities during the tournament, that outcome would require both the player and the Brazilian football federation (CBF) to agree to the arrangement. The more likely scenario, according to reports, is that Ederson undergoes his medical and signs his contract once Brazil’s World Cup campaign concludes.

The call-up also affects Ederson’s pre-season schedule at Carrington. He had previously been expected to be available for United’s entire summer programme, including the pre-season fixture against Wrexham in Helsinki on 18 July — the day before the World Cup final. Like other United players involved in the tournament in North America, Ederson will be granted a period of rest between the end of his international duty and his return to club training.

Ederson’s inclusion in the Brazil squad is notable in itself: the midfielder had not earned an international cap since March 2025 before Sunday’s call-up.