Man United’s Ederson moved in doubt

Manchester United’s attempts to sign Ederson from Serie A side Atalanta are doubtful.

United agreed a £35m fee for the Brazilian midfielder on 2 June.

The aim was for Ederson to undergo a medical in early July, so the transfer would be completed before pre-season training.

However, that plan had to be scrapped when the 27-year-old was called up late to Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.

Ederson is expected to undergo a medical after Brazil’s bye and United sources confirmed this privately when the first reports of the transfer being called off emerged late last week.

Brazil were subsequently eliminated in Norway, but Chelsea’s Andre Santos and former Leeds goalkeeper Karl Dalow have both sealed moves to United, although there is no update on Ederson despite their respective deals being reached in the last 48 hours.

Sources have told BBC Sport that the deal has been called off due to a problem with a medical.

However, sources from both clubs deny the matter and no decision has been made regarding the transfer. Ederson is believed to be in the United States.

If the transfer goes through, it will be the latest setback in a difficult winter for the Old Trafford outfit.

After finishing third last season, United have prioritized strengthening their defense ahead of a return to the Champions League after a two-year absence.

However, their hopes of signing first-choice Elio Anderson from Nottingham Forest ended when United refused to match the Englishman’s £116m transfer fee.

Then they targeted Mathews Fernandes. However, with West Ham’s management change, they were less keen on a quick sale and when Tottenham expressed their interest in signing the Portugal international shortly after, United’s final price was £85m – a far cry from their expected fee. United offered the same figure, but with additional fees, and Fernandes chose Tottenham.

In theory, Ederson would have been signed at least by then, meaning some recruitment would have taken place before deals for Santos and Darlow were agreed this week.

Now, fans are anxious to know if Ederson’s deal is done.