Manchester United will put Ederson through a full medical before completing his £39million transfer from Atalanta after denying rumours the deal could be off.
Club sources say the speculation, which began circulating on Sunday night, is not true. They insist the structure of the deal and personal terms are agreed, and that the intention was to complete the move in July until the Brazil midfielder received a late World Cup call-up after Roma defender Wesley was injured.
Ederson, who turns 27 on Tuesday, is believed to have had an initial medical check, but United say they will put him through a full medical now Brazil’s participation in the World Cup is over. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were dumped out by Norway at the last-16 stage on Sunday night, Erling Haaland scoring twice in a 2-1 win.
United were delighted to reach agreement with Atalanta at the start of June to pay £35million plus £3.8m in add-ons for Ederson.
However, they have been frustrated in their attempts to add up to two more midfielders to their squad since then, losing out to Manchester City and Tottenham for Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes respectively.
The club’s midfield search took another twist on Sunday after it emerged that Ederson’s Brazilian compatriot Andrey Santos is the latest potential target being considered.
Manchester United will put Ederson through a full medical before completing his £39million transfer from Atalanta after denying rumours the deal could be off
United are interested in Chelsea’s Andrey Santos (right), and aware that he might be available after falling behind Enzo Fernandez (left) in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge
It is understood United’s interest is in its early stages and there has been no contact with his club Chelsea.
But United are aware that Santos might be available after falling behind Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo in the pecking order at Stamford Bridge, particularly after Caicedo signed a new seven-year contract in April.
Newcastle are understood to be among the other clubs interested in the 22-year-old Brazilian, who has had loan spells at Nottingham Forest and Strasbourg since signing from Vasco da Gama for £18m three years ago.
Chelsea are believed to value him at around £50m, although it’s unlikely United would be willing to pay that much as they continue to weigh up a move for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.
