Atalanta sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli said the club was left “stunned” after Manchester United walked away from a completed transfer for midfielder Ederson, a move that seemed all but finalized just weeks ago.
The two sides had agreed on a €45 million package including add-ons for the 27-year-old Brazilian. The hold-up was straightforward enough. Ederson was playing for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, and the deal couldn’t close until he got back. So everybody waited.
Then Ederson returned from the tournament in July. Manchester United put him through a full round of medical testing. And then they pulled the plug. Their reason, according to Giuntoli: the team doctors flagged what they considered significant concerns about Ederson’s knee.
Giuntoli addressed the situation at a press conference today. “We were stunned,” he said. “He is happy to remain and we are working on a new contract.”
That last part matters a lot, because the reason Ederson was available at all for that price is his current contract only runs through the end of this season. Atalanta risked losing him for nothing next summer. Now, with United out of the picture, they’re shifting gears and pushing to lock him up long-term in Bergamo.
Ederson originally joined Atalanta in 2022 for €22.9 million from Salernitana. That means the club essentially stood to double their investment. And even though that payday evaporated, the player himself isn’t agitating for a move. Giuntoli made that clear. Ederson, he said, is happy to stay.
Since arriving in Serie A, Ederson has been a central figure for Atalanta. He’s played 180 competitive games, scoring 16 goals and adding six assists. More importantly, he was a key piece in their 2024 Europa League title run, the club’s first major European trophy. He also helped them reach two Coppa Italia finals.
For Manchester United, this decision raises obvious questions. They were willing to spend €45 million on a player — they agreed to it — and then backed out after a medical. Either their doctors found something real and serious, or the new ownership regime got cold feet. The club hasn’t commented publicly on what exactly the knee tests showed.
For Atalanta, it’s a weird kind of good news. They keep their best midfielder for another year at least, and they don’t have to scramble for a replacement in the transfer window. The downside, of course, is financial. That €45 million was going to fund moves elsewhere. Now they have to find another way.
But Giuntoli sounded confident. The contract talks are already underway. And Ederson, for his part, apparently never asked to leave.
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