Atalanta midfielder Ederson is headed to England for a second medical with Manchester United later this week, and no, the deal isn’t dead yet. Despite what the rumor mill has been screaming for the last few days.
The Brazil international has been stuck in a weird limbo. He had an initial medical while on World Cup duty with the Brazilian national team over in the States, but United wants their own club doctors to put him through more tests before signing off on the transfer. With Brazil now eliminated from the tournament, the 27-year-old is expected to fly to the UK to get that done.
The Money Part
Back in June, reports pegged the total package at around €45 million — €40.5 million guaranteed plus another €4.5 million in performance bonuses. That’s a solid chunk of change for a midfielder who has quietly become one of Serie A’s more reliable two-way players at Atalanta.
But here’s where it got messy. Manchester United also agreed to sign Chelsea’s Andrey Santos for €58.5 million (about £50 million). And when that news broke, a lot of people assumed the Ederson move was cooked. Two midfielders? Same window? Same club? Seemed like a lot.
Except United is apparently planning to bring in both guys. Thursday’s reports from Italy suggest the club wants two new bodies in the middle of the park this summer, which means Santos coming through the door doesn’t close it on Ederson.
Why Two Midfielders?
Well, look at the current roster. Casemiro is 34 and has looked a step slow for stretches. Christian Eriksen is 33 and not getting younger. Scott McTominay is still there but has never quite locked down a starting spot. And Kobbie Mainoo is talented but still a teenager. United’s midfield has felt thin for a while now, especially under the weight of Champions League and Premier League demands.
Adding Ederson gives them a high-energy ball-winner who can push forward. Santos brings a different profile — younger, more technical, already familiar with the Premier League from his time at Chelsea. Together they’d give Erik ten Hag or whoever is managing next season actual rotation options instead of the same tired starters every three days.
Nothing is formally done yet. No signed contracts, no official announcements. But if Ederson passes that second medical, expect United to move quickly. The World Cup’s over for him. The waiting game isn’t.
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