Tielemans set for Man Utd medical as Ederson deal stalls over knee injury

Manchester United are preparing for a potential triple midfield overhaul this summer, with Youri Tielemans set to undergo a medical at the club on Tuesday after United triggered his £35 million release clause at Aston Villa, while a separate £38.8 million deal for Atalanta’s Ederson hangs in the balance following a failed medical.

Tielemans had rarely featured in the long list of midfielders linked with United this summer, making the move one of the more surprising developments of the window. By contrast, United have had a fee agreed with Atalanta for Ederson since early June, only for the deal to stall after the 27-year-old failed a medical last week due to a knee injury. United are now looking to renegotiate the transfer at a reduced fee, according to the Manchester Evening News, and the move has not been ruled out entirely.

Ederson himself appeared confident the transfer was close to completion, telling reporters during Brazil’s World Cup campaign that the move to Old Trafford was “practically all sorted.” He had part of his medical conducted in the United States before flying to the UK for final checks after Brazil were eliminated by Norway in the last 16.

Andrey Santos has already completed his medical ahead of a £50 million move from Chelsea, with the Brazilian set to sign a five-year contract with an option for a further 12 months. That means United could yet announce two or three midfield signings in quick succession.

The urgency stems from a threadbare midfield picture at Old Trafford. Manuel Ugarte suffered a serious knee injury with Uruguay at the World Cup, and Casemiro recently departed following the expiry of his contract, leaving Kobbie Mainoo as the only senior out-and-out midfielder currently available. Mainoo was absent from last week’s pre-season return due to his England commitments.

Ederson and Tielemans were both identified by United manager Michael Carrick and director of football Jason Wilcox as priority targets to address that shortage. Tielemans, meanwhile, endured a difficult end to the World Cup, picking up a hamstring injury during the warm-up before Belgium’s 2-1 defeat to Spain — though United appear satisfied enough with his fitness to proceed with Tuesday’s medical.

Former Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow is also expected to join the club as a free agent.