Manchester United withdraw from €45m Ederson deal over knee concerns

Manchester United’s €45 million pursuit of Atalanta star Ederson has dramatically collapsed after medical examinations raised red flags over the midfielder’s right knee, plunging Atalanta into an unexpected dilemma regarding one of their key assets.

For more than a month, negotiations between Manchester United, Atalanta, and Ederson appeared to be progressing seamlessly. The Premier League giants had identified the Brazilian midfielder as a central target, and all parties had reached an agreement on terms. However, the transfer hit a sudden and decisive roadblock when Ederson failed to clear the second phase of medical tests in Manchester.

Sources close to the club report that United’s medical team was left unconvinced by the condition of Ederson’s right knee. According to Gazzetta, the English side’s concerns stemmed from a previous arthroscopic surgery the player underwent on his right meniscus in August of last year. Despite that procedure, Ederson has since accumulated a staggering 3,169 minutes on the pitch, featuring in 30 Serie A fixtures and making nine appearances in the Champions League this past season.

The collapse of the high-profile move has left Atalanta facing a critical decision. With Manchester United withdrawing their substantial offer, the Italian club is now reportedly preparing to table a new contract for Ederson. This move is seen as a bid to secure the midfielder’s future and reinforce his value following the failed transfer.

Ederson’s situation highlights the ruthless nature of top-level football transfers, where even the most promising deals can unravel at the eleventh hour due to medical uncertainties. The Brazilian’s remarkable resilience on the pitch—returning from surgery to play a pivotal role throughout the campaign—was not enough to allay Manchester United’s doubts, bringing the saga to an abrupt and dramatic close.

As Atalanta recalibrate their strategy, all eyes will be on the club’s next steps in managing both the player’s career and their own squad planning after the breakdown of one of the transfer market’s most talked-about deals.