Atalanta midfielder Ederson has admitted he remains baffled by the collapse of his proposed move to Manchester United after the Italian club had agreed a deal with the Premier League giants.
United had reportedly agreed an initial £35 million fee, with a further £4m potentially payable in performance-related add-ons.
The Brazilian midfielder subsequently underwent medical examinations while on international duty before travelling to England for additional specialist tests.
Yet despite the transfer appearing close to completion, the move dramatically fell apart.
For Ederson, however, the reason remains unclear.
“I honestly don’t know what happened,” Ederson, who signed a new contract with Atalanta in the wake of the collapse of the transfer, told Sky Italia.
“I always had interest from other clubs, and I could have gone to another English side.
“The tests went well, I don’t know what changed. I’ve been with Atalanta for four years and always played.
“I could have just waited to see what happened, but the great rapport with the club convinced me to stay and sign a new contract.”
The failed Manchester United transfer could easily have destabilized Ederson, but the midfielder instead committed his future to Atalanta.
The 26-year-old had been expected to sign a four-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option of extending the agreement by another 12 months.
Instead, he remains in Bergamo and has quickly been handed an important leadership role.
Ederson has captained Atalanta in both of their matches so far this season, including their 0-0 UEFA Conference League playoff first-leg draw against Hapoel Tel Aviv and Sunday’s 2-1 Serie A victory over Sassuolo.
That represents a remarkably quick turnaround for a player who only weeks earlier appeared destined for a new chapter in England.
Manchester United have also wasted little time reshaping their midfield.
Following the collapse of the Ederson deal, the club brought in Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.
United have also agreed a deal with Brighton for another midfielder, Carlos Baleba, in a transfer that could reach £70m once potential add-ons are included.
The recruitment activity suggests United have moved decisively beyond the Ederson saga.
For the Brazilian, though, there appears to be no bitterness.
His decision to remain with Atalanta was influenced heavily by the relationship he has built with the club during four years in Italy.
The collapse of a major transfer can sometimes become a distraction. Éderson appears determined to make it fuel rather than baggage.
He has started the new campaign wearing the captain’s armband and remains an important figure for Atalanta.
Meanwhile, Manchester United have their own problems to solve.Michael Carrick’s side suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Hull City on the opening weekend and will be looking for a response when they host Ipswich Town on Sunday.
Ederson was supposed to be part of United’s midfield rebuild. Instead, he is now leading Atalanta while United continue to search for the right combination in the middle of the park.
For now, one question still hangs over the failed transfer: what exactly changed after the medicals?
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
