Ederson Reflects on Manchester United Transfer Collapse, Chooses to Stay with Atalanta
Ederson has expressed confusion over the failed transfer to Manchester United but is content with renewing his contract with Atalanta. “This club really wanted me,” he stated.
The midfielder had previously agreed to join Manchester United in June for approximately €45 million, intending to finalize the deal after representing Brazil in the 2026 World Cup.
However, Manchester United halted the transfer after flagging issues with Ederson’s knee during his medical examination, leading them to scrap the entire move. Instead, he signed a new contract with Atalanta until 2031.
Ederson Confused by Manchester United
BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 22: Ederson of Atalanta BC reacts during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Hellas Verona FC at Gewiss Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
Expressing his gratitude, Ederson said, “I am very happy to remain with Atalanta. I thank the club and Luca Percassi.” He spoke ahead of the upcoming Conference League play-off against Hapoel Tel-Aviv.
He added, “They called me many times, and I felt they were by my side. Despite interest from other clubs, it felt best to stick with the team that truly wanted me—Atalanta.” He highlighted his joy in wearing the jersey that has brought him much happiness.

BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 22: Ederson of Atalanta BC celebrates with his team-mates his goal that was later disallowed by VAR during the Coppa Italia match between Atalanta BC and SS Lazio at New Balance Arena on April 22, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
The cancellation of the transfer took Atalanta by surprise, as both the club and Ederson assert that there was no significant injury to justify the decision. Rather than dwell on the situation, Ederson is focused on his future with Atalanta and is being considered for the captain’s armband.
Reflecting on his journey, he said, “I had wonderful experiences going to the World Cup with Brazil. I still don’t know what happened, but it’s important that I managed to cope with the situation and return with the right mindset to give my best to this club.” He affirmed, “I am still Ederson; everyone knows my abilities, and I will always give my all.”

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Ederson with his teammates of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring the opening goal from penalty spot during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on February 14, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
In his comments to Sky Sport Italia, Ederson mentioned the uncertainty surrounding the Manchester United situation, which some speculated as a reason for their change of heart. “I honestly don’t know what happened. I always had interest from other clubs and could have joined another English side. The tests went well; I’m uncertain about what changed. I’ve been with Atalanta for four years and consistently performed.”
“I could have simply waited to see if things would work out, but the strong relationship with the club motivated me to stay and sign a new contract,” he concluded.
Atalanta director Cristiano Giuntoli called Ederson the ‘best new signing’ of the summer, while fans expressed delight over his decision to remain.
Ederson thanked the fans for their unwavering support, stating, “They are always passionate and stand by you through both good and bad times. We won the Europa League, achieved great results, and they know me,” he said. “I don’t see myself as a new signing; I have always been an Atalanta player.”
Ederson insists he still doesn’t ‘know what really happened’ with the failed Manchester United medical, but was happy to sign a new Atalanta contract. ‘This club really wanted me.’
The midfielder had already agreed the transfer to Manchester United in June for circa €45m, aiming to complete it after the 2026 World Cup experience with Brazil.
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However, when the Premier League side found issues with his knee in a medical, they scrapped the entire move, and he instead penned a new contract in Bergamo until 2031.
Ederson confused by Manchester United

BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 22: Ederson of Atalanta BC reacts during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Hellas Verona FC at Gewiss Stadium on March 22, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
“I am very happy to remain with Atalanta, I really thank the club and Luca Percassi,” said Ederson in a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Conference League play-off against Hapoel Tel-Aviv.
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“They called me many times, I felt they were by my side, but even though I had interest from other clubs, after everything that happened, I thought it was best to stick with who really wanted me, and that was always Atalanta.
“I was happy to wear the jersey that has given me so much joy.”

BERGAMO, ITALY – APRIL 22: Ederson of Atalanta BC celebrates with his team-mates his goal that was later disallowed by VAR during the Coppa Italia match between Atalanta BC and SS Lazio at New Balance Arena on April 22, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
Manchester United’s decision to scrap the Ederson transfer took Atalanta entirely by surprise, as they and the player maintain there was no major injury to warrant such a turnaround.
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Instead, they signed him to a new contract, and now he’s in line for the captain’s armband.
“I had lovely moments going to the World Cup with Brazil, and then… I still don’t know what happened to be honest, but the important thing is that I was able to deal with the situation, return with the right mentality and give my all to the club that gave me so much.
“I am still Ederson, everyone knows me here and what I can do, they know I will always give my all.”

ROME, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Ederson with his teammates of Atalanta BC celebrates after scoring the opening goal from penalty spot during the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on February 14, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
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The player also spoke to Sky Sport Italia about this situation with Manchester United, which many assumed was an excuse to change their minds.
“I honestly don’t know what happened. I always had interest from other clubs, and I could’ve 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’ve just waited to see what happened, but the great rapport with the club convinced me to stay and sign a new contract.”
Atalanta director Cristiano Giuntoli said that Ederson is the ‘best new signing’ for them this summer, while the fans were pleased to see him remain.
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“I thank the fans, they are always so passionate and stand by you, in good and bad moments. We won the Europa League, had great results, they know me,” added Ederson.
“I don’t see myself as a new signing, I have always been an Atalanta player.”
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