United insist £38m Ederson deal is alive despite knee scare and collapse reports

Manchester United have pushed back against reports that their £38 million move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson has fallen apart, insisting the transfer remains live despite serious concerns over a knee injury flagged during his medical.

United agreed personal terms and a fee of up to £38 million with Atalanta in early June, with Ederson himself publicly hinting during the World Cup that a switch to Old Trafford was close. But the deal was thrown into doubt when reports emerged that a pre-existing meniscus problem had been detected during initial medical examinations, prompting widespread claims that the transfer had completely collapsed.

The Manchester Evening News understands that United officials do not currently consider the move to be dead and have not terminated negotiations. The club has firmly denied suggestions it has pulled out, though the transfer remains in a holding pattern as medical evaluations and internal discussions continue behind the scenes.

Ederson’s involvement with Brazil at the World Cup has added further delay, pushing back the final administrative steps needed to complete the deal. Head coach Michael Carrick has identified a top-quality defensive midfielder as one of his primary targets as United prepare to return to the Champions League, making a swift resolution increasingly urgent with pre-season training already under way.

Should the Ederson move ultimately fail, he would join Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes on a list of midfield targets United have missed this summer. The club has contingency plans in place, with Roma’s Manu Koné identified as the leading alternative if they decide to walk away from the Atalanta man.

Regardless of the Ederson outcome, United are pressing ahead with other midfield business. A £48 million deal — rising to £50 million with add-ons — to sign young Brazilian midfielder Andrey Santos from Chelsea is reported to be on the verge of completion. Carrick is keen to have new arrivals integrated into the squad before the team departs for a pre-season tour of Scandinavia.