Manchester United dealt major transfer blow as 'first summer deal collapses' | OneFootball

Red Devils were close to landing Brazilian World Cup star

Manchester United have pulled the plug on their deal to sign Ederson.

That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who reported on Friday evening that the Red Devils would not continue their pursuit of the Atalanta midfielder, who they agreed to sign for £35million.

Standard Sport previously reported that Michael Carrick’s side had agreed a £50m package deal to land Chelsea’s Andrey Santos, who is set to undergo a medical with the Old Trafford club this week.

But he will not be joined in the United engine room by compatriot Ederson, who had appeared to be the Red Devils’ first signing of the summer.

He had even underwent the first part of a medical ahead of his move to the Premier League giants, but now, it seems as though he will not be making the move at all.

It is believed that United had reservations about the midfielder’s fitness, with Ederson suffering a meniscus injury last summer.

Deal off: Ederson

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Before that, he had ankle problems in the 2023-24 season, following a hamstring strain going into the 2022-23 term.

Atalanta, meanwhile, believe the Brazilian is fit, and are reported to be open to welcoming him back into their first-team fold.

As such, it is a major blow for United, who have already lost out on top midfield transfer targets Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, with the pair moving to Manchester City and Tottenham for £116m and £85m respectively.

Carrick’s men are set to add Santos to their ranks, but it remains to be seen where they turn to next, with Manuel Ugarte out for an extended period after he suffered a knee ligament injury while playing for Uruguay at the World Cup.