Manchester United have moved early on Ederson, but the transfer is still not at the finish line. Fabrizio Romano says the club have a verbal €45m offer in place, matching the bottom end of Atalanta's €45m-€50m valuation range, and personal terms on a five-year deal have already been agreed. The issue now is internal. United still have to decide whether to push ahead or look elsewhere, and Romano says there is no final green light yet.

Why the deal is still on hold

Romano's update was blunt. "Man Utd have to decide internally whether they want to proceed, to go and close the deal for Ederson, or whether they decide to go for different midfielders," he said on teamtalk.com. He added: "That's why at the moment there's no final green light. It could be any moment. Ederson is waiting for Man Utd."

That is the part that matters most. The player side is done, the club-to-club talks are moving, but United are still weighing whether Ederson is the right midfielder to finish the job. That hesitation is also why the wider market remains relevant. United are looking at Elliot Anderson, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Mateus Fernandes in the same midfield discussion.

Why United like Ederson anyway

The attraction is easy enough to see from the numbers. Ederson has 180 appearances for Atalanta, so this is not a player being chased on a small sample. He has also averaged 10.6km per game in the Champions League this season, which speaks to the running power United want in midfield.

That profile helps explain why the club have got this far with Atalanta and the player. It also explains why the move has not been waved through yet. United are not treating this like a simple yes-or-no deal, because the shortlist is wider than one name and the recruitment team are still deciding where Ederson fits in it. Romano's reporting suggests the market is open, not closed, and that is where the story sits for now.

If United do give the green light, the next step is straightforward enough. If they do not, the delay will point back to the same thing Romano identified on teamtalk.com, a club still deciding whether Ederson is the midfielder they want to finish the rebuild.

FAQ

Why are Manchester United delaying the Ederson deal?

Fabrizio Romano says United still need an internal decision on whether to proceed for Ederson or turn to different midfield targets. Talks with Atalanta are already in place, and United have also verbally offered €45m, matching the bottom end of Atalanta's valuation range. There is no final green light yet.

Has Manchester United already agreed personal terms with Ederson?

Yes. The player side has agreed a five-year deal, but that does not mean the transfer is finished. Romano says United are still discussing the move internally, and the final green light has not been given.

How experienced is Ederson before a possible Manchester United move?

Ederson has 180 appearances for Atalanta, which points to a player with a substantial body of work. He has also averaged 10.6km per game in the Champions League this season, underlining the running power United like in midfield.

Who else are Manchester United looking at in midfield this summer?

United are also looking at Elliot Anderson, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba in midfield discussions. That wider shortlist is part of why Ederson is still waiting for a final decision.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 12 outlets. How we work →