Manchester United reconsidering Éderson: medical findings and new talks will decide the transfer
Manchester United have not yet completely closed the door on the transfer of Brazilian midfielder Éderson from Atalanta, although in recent days it appeared that the deal had collapsed because of concerns related to his health. According to reports in the British and Italian media, the Old Trafford club are trying to determine whether there is a model under which the previously agreed transfer could still be completed, but the final decision will depend on further interpretation of the medical documentation, an assessment of the long-term risk and possible new talks with Atalanta. Neither club had officially confirmed by 13 July 2026 that the deal had been reactivated, which means the current stage of the negotiations must be regarded as uncertain. What is clear is that United still value Éderson's profile and see him as a player who could bring energy, physical strength, aggression in winning the ball and a better balance between defence and attack to the midfield. At the same time, the club must assess whether a potential health problem could limit his availability or affect the value of a multi-year contract.
A deal that appeared almost complete
Manchester United and Atalanta reached an agreement in principle on the transfer at the beginning of June, ESPN, Sky Sports and The Times reported at the time. According to those reports, the English club were expected to pay around £35 million as a guaranteed amount, with additional bonuses that could increase the total value of the deal to approximately £38 million to £39 million. Éderson was reportedly offered a four-year contract with an option to extend it for another season, while the transfer was expected to be completed after the player finished his international duties and underwent medical examinations. At that point, it appeared that the key sporting and financial elements had already been agreed and that mainly formal procedures remained.
The situation, however, became complicated during the final stage of the medical tests. The Times reported on 10 July that concerns had emerged regarding the 27-year-old midfielder's knee and that Manchester United wanted additional examinations before making a final decision. Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport reported a day later that the transfer had collapsed after the second part of the medical examination and that Éderson was returning to Atalanta, while some English sources continued to claim that the case had not been definitively closed. The difference between the reports shows how sensitive the process is: one negative or inconclusive finding does not necessarily mean the permanent end of negotiations, but it can change the structure of the transfer fee, the contractual terms, the payment schedule or the buyer's willingness to assume long-term risk.
According to the available information, United are now considering whether the previously agreed deal can be rescued without compromising the club's medical and financial standards. This may include new specialist opinions, additional scans, a more detailed assessment of previous injuries and discussions about protective clauses. It has not been officially confirmed that Atalanta have agreed to change the terms already negotiated, nor is it known whether the Italian club would accept a lower fixed amount with a larger proportion of bonuses linked to the number of appearances. Such adjustments are not unusual in professional football when there is uncertainty regarding a player's physical condition, but every case depends on the doctors' findings and the negotiating position of the clubs involved.
Why United still see value in the Brazilian midfielder
Éderson José dos Santos Lourenço da Silva was born on 7 July 1999 in Campo Grande, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. Atalanta signed him from Salernitana in the summer of 2022, and the Bergamo club described him as a dynamic and versatile midfielder who combines quality on the ball with a wide range of movement and the ability to arrive in attacking areas. According to Atalanta's official announcement marking his 27th birthday, Éderson made 180 appearances in all competitions during his first four seasons for the club, scoring 16 goals and providing six assists. Those figures do not fully illustrate his contribution because most of his value can be seen in pressing, duels, covering space and connecting the different lines of the team.
His most important club season was 2023/24, when Atalanta won the Europa League by defeating Bayer Leverkusen in the final in Dublin. UEFA's data for that edition of the competition show that Atalanta were the leading team for balls recovered, while Éderson was among the competition's more prominent players in terms of successful defensive interventions. In a system that demanded a high level of physical preparation, rapid transitions from defence to attack and discipline without the ball, the Brazilian developed a profile that is particularly attractive to Premier League clubs. His ability to play in a pair with another central midfielder, as well as in a slightly more advanced role, gives a coach more tactical options during matches.
Manchester United could benefit from precisely that type of player as they reshape their midfield. The club's official squad page currently lists Bruno Fernandes, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte and several younger players among the midfielders, while the club said farewell to Casemiro this summer. Éderson would not be a direct copy of his experienced compatriot, but he could take on part of the responsibility in duels, protecting the space in front of the defence and aggressively stepping out towards opposing midfielders. His greatest value to United would lie in the combination of physical presence and the ability to carry the ball through midfield, particularly against teams that try to break the press with quick passing.
Carrick's team are seeking balance, not just a new name
Manchester United confirmed on 22 May that Michael Carrick had been given a contract as head coach after taking charge of the team in January. His first full transfer window is therefore important for shaping the squad according to a clearer playing philosophy, and midfield is one of the areas in which the club need greater stability and more available options. During his playing career, Carrick was a midfielder with an exceptional sense of positioning, so he is expected to place particular emphasis in his coaching work on controlling space, applying pressure at the right moment and building more securely from the first phase of attack. In that structure, Éderson could have the role of a mobile midfielder who gives his more creative teammates greater freedom.
However, the transfer cannot be assessed solely through tactical compatibility. United must take into account the number of matches in domestic competitions and the Champions League, the speed of English football, the need for continuous availability and the fact that a multi-year contract would represent a significant financial commitment. The medical examination is therefore not a formality, but one of the key parts of the process. During such examinations, clubs do not merely look for an existing injury, but try to assess the possibility of a problem recurring, the impact of previous procedures and the player's ability to withstand the expected workload.
If further assessments show that the risk is acceptable, United could continue talks under the previously agreed or amended terms. If the doctors conclude that there is a more serious danger of a lengthy absence, the club will probably direct its funds towards another candidate. That is precisely why reports about the transfer being “revived” do not mean that the deal is once again close to being signed; it is more accurate to say that United are still considering the possibility of completing it. The final word will come from a combination of the sporting department, the medical team and the executives responsible for the financial terms.
Atalanta must also protect their own interests
For Atalanta, the situation that has emerged is equally complex. The Italian club had already accepted the possibility of Éderson's departure and, according to media reports, reached an agreement on the transfer fee, but must now decide whether to reopen negotiations or retain an important player. Gazzetta dello Sport stated that Atalanta were considering a new contract for the Brazilian following the problems with the transfer, which would allow the club to protect his market value and reduce uncertainty. Such a move would be understandable if United failed to provide sufficiently firm guarantees or attempted to significantly reduce the originally agreed fixed amount.
Éderson is important to Atalanta not only because of his statistics, but also because of the continuity he provides within the team. Four seasons in Bergamo have given him a deep understanding of the demanding system, the relationships between the lines and the rhythm of Serie A. The club could present his stay as a sporting reinforcement without a transfer fee, particularly if they conclude that there is no straightforward replacement on the market with the same level of physical preparation and tactical discipline. On the other hand, a sale for an amount close to €45 million would create room for investment in several positions and continue the player-development model for which Atalanta are known.
The Bergamo club's negotiating position will also depend on how determined the player himself is to leave. ESPN reported at the beginning of June that Éderson was ready to join Manchester United after an earlier possibility of a transfer to Atlético Madrid failed to materialise. If the player still prefers Old Trafford, Atalanta can try to find a compromise that does not damage their relationship with the athlete or the club's financial interests. If the medical assessment proves more serious than initially expected, the priority will probably be his recovery and the stabilisation of his future at the club.
International call-up further delayed the outcome
The Brazilian Football Confederation confirmed at the beginning of June that Éderson had been called up as a late replacement for the injured Wesley for the 2026 World Cup. The midfielder joined the team in the United States, and his international duties postponed the planned completion of the transfer. According to The Times, he made two substitute appearances for Brazil at the tournament before the team were eliminated in the round of 16. The deal was expected to be completed quickly after Brazil's campaign ended, but additional medical examinations raised new questions.
That timeline is important because it shows that the transfer was not delayed solely by negotiations over the price. An agreement between the clubs had existed for weeks, but final approval was tied to the player's availability and the medical procedure after the tournament. In such circumstances, the buying club tries to distinguish a temporary consequence of exertion or a minor problem from a condition that could require a longer recovery period. Without an official medical report, it is impossible to reliably assess the seriousness of the concerns, and the details of medical examinations generally remain confidential.
For that reason, claims that Éderson “failed his medical” are an oversimplification of a more complex process. A club may decide not to proceed with a transfer even when a player is capable of training and playing if the assessment indicates a higher likelihood of future problems in relation to the planned price and length of the contract. Equally, an additional examination may remove the initial concern and allow negotiations to continue. It is currently unknown into which of those categories Éderson's case will fall.
Alternative options remain part of the negotiating picture
According to several British media outlets, Manchester United have also been considering other midfielders in parallel. Such an approach does not necessarily mean that their interest in Éderson has disappeared, but it allows the club not to depend on a single complicated deal. Time plays an important role in the transfer window: the closer the start of the season gets, the greater the pressure for a new player to take part in preparations, become familiar with the tactical requirements and build relationships with his teammates. United must therefore conduct the Brazilian's medical assessment while simultaneously maintaining contact with other candidates.
The existence of alternatives can also influence talks with Atalanta. If United have a realistic possibility of signing another midfielder with a similar profile, they will find it easier to insist on protective terms. Atalanta, meanwhile, may reject changes if they believe Éderson will once again have a strong market after his recovery or that keeping him is more valuable from a sporting perspective than a compromised sale. In such a relationship, it is not enough for both sides to want the transfer; the price, risk, deadlines and the player's interests must all be aligned.
For Carrick, the most important point is that the final choice must suit the way he wants to use the midfield. United do not merely need a player with a reputation, but a footballer who can play regularly, withstand the intensity of the competition and connect technically gifted but different profiles within the team. Éderson fits that description because of his experience at Atalanta, but the level of medical certainty must be sufficient for the sporting benefit to justify the investment.
A decision that will reveal the limit of acceptable risk
The Éderson case has become a test of Manchester United's new sporting and management structure. The club must demonstrate that it can be ambitious and disciplined at the same time: identify a player who suits the team, but not ignore the findings simply because the negotiations have already progressed far. Walking away after several weeks of work would carry a sporting cost and require a rapid change of plan, while proceeding under unfavourable medical circumstances could create a far greater problem over the course of the contract.
For now, the most accurate statement is that the transfer has not been officially completed, but the possibility of reviving it has not been completely ruled out either. New talks with Atalanta and the final assessment of the player's medical condition will decide whether the Brazilian will nevertheless become part of Carrick's team or whether United will permanently turn to another solution. Éderson's quality and tactical suitability are the reasons the club are still considering the deal, while the medical and financial risks are the reasons the signing cannot be treated as a formality. Until official confirmation arrives from one of the clubs, all claims of a certain transfer or a definitive collapse should be treated with caution.
Sources:
- The Times – information on the agreed transfer fee, additional medical examinations and concerns related to the knee (link)
- Gazzetta dello Sport – report on the collapse of the transfer after the medical examinations and a possible new contract with Atalanta (link)
- ESPN – details of the agreement between Manchester United and Atalanta, the transfer fee and the planned contractual terms (link)
- Sky Sports – confirmation of the negotiating framework, the structure of the transfer fee and the status of the transfer before the medical examinations (link)
- Atalanta BC – official data on Éderson's date of birth, number of appearances, goals and assists for the club (link)
- Atalanta BC – official description of the player's profile and confirmation of his arrival from Salernitana in 2022 (link)
- UEFA – information on Atalanta's 2023/24 Europa League triumph and the competition statistics (link)
- Brazilian Football Confederation – official confirmation of Éderson's late call-up to the national team for the 2026 World Cup (link)
- Manchester United – official confirmation of Michael Carrick as head coach and an overview of the current coaching context (link)
- The Sun – current report that the status of the transfer remains uncertain and that Manchester United retain hope that the deal can be rescued (link)