According to Globo Esporte, Atalanta midfielder Ederson has spoken for the first time about his failed transfer to Manchester United, saying he doesn't know why the English club abandoned the deal at the last minute.
"To be honest, I had absolutely no idea what was going on. There have always been other clubs interested in me, and I could have gone to another English team," the midfielder said.
Manchester United abandoned their pursuit of Ederson after he underwent a medical in England. However, the Brazilian player assured that the medical results showed no problems.
“The test went very well, and I don’t know what changed. I’ve been in Atlanta for four years and have been competing all along.”
After the deal with England fell through, Ederson decided to extend his contract with Atalanta until 2031.
“I could have just waited and seen what would happen, but my very good relationship with the club convinced me to stay and sign a new contract.”
In early June this year, the Brazilian defensive midfielder was very close to joining Manchester United to replace Casemiro. The deal was valued at approximately 280 million reais.
After being selected for the Brazilian national team under Carlo Ancelotti and replacing full-back Wesley, his agent Andre Curry stated in detail that the official announcement was just one final formality away.
“We were actually ready to sign, and there were no disagreements on the figures or the contract. Manchester United asked us if we could have a medical this week, and we said yes, but then this wonderful surprise came: being selected for the national team,” the agent said at the time.
Ederson is not injured. Manchester United abandoned their pursuit of the Brazilian international, who participated in the last World Cup, because of his history of knee surgery, not a current problem.
After completing their medicals, England abandoned the deal. Just days earlier, they had finalized the signing of another Brazilian player, Andre Santos, from Chelsea.
According to Globo Esporte, Manchester United withdrew from the deal because they discovered wear and tear on the Brazilian player's knees, which could devalue him in the coming years.
Ederson underwent serious ligament surgery early in his career while playing for Brazil's U20 team in Desportivo, which sidelined him for 11 months. The defensive midfielder underwent reconstruction of his anterior cruciate ligament, along with treatment for lateral meniscus and patellar tendon injuries.
