Brazilian midfielder Éderson has revealed he remains unable to explain why Manchester United cancelled their €45m move for him this summer, though he insists he is “very happy” to have signed a new contract with Atalanta until 2031.
The 25-year-old had agreed terms with the Premier League club in June and aimed to complete the transfer following his World Cup duty with Brazil. However, United pulled out after detecting issues with his knee during the medical examination, a decision that surprised both the player and Atalanta, who maintain no serious injury existed.
Medical mystery
Addressing media ahead of Atalanta’s Conference League play-off against Hapoel Tel-Aviv, Éderson admitted his confusion. “I honestly don’t know what happened,” he said. He noted the examinations initially proceeded positively, though he remains unsure what altered the club’s stance.
The midfielder suggested alternative English clubs had expressed interest, giving him options beyond Old Trafford. He noted he might have waited to see what happened, but the strong relationship with Atalanta convinced him to stay.
Éderson, who has spent four years with the Bergamo side, emphasised the emotional pull of remaining with the club that supported him through the uncertainty. He explained that the club contacted him repeatedly and he felt “they were by my side” throughout the process. Following the collapse of the United deal, he decided to commit to the side that truly valued him, which “was always Atalanta.”
Long-term commitment
Following the collapsed transfer, the Brazil international committed his future to Atalanta by signing a contract extension until 2031. Sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli has since labelled him the club’s “best new signing” of the summer.
Éderson is now in line to receive the captain’s armband and is expected to feature in Thursday’s European qualifier against the Israeli visitors. He stated that he does not view himself as a new arrival, having always considered himself an Atalanta player. He said he was “happy to wear the jersey” that has “given me so much joy.”