Reasons Behind the Delay of Ederson's Transfer to Manchester United Revealed; No Short-Term Announcement Planned, Shirt Number Choice Unveiled

Manchester United's first summer signing is set: Atalanta's Brazilian midfielder Ederson will certainly arrive. But the club is unlikely to announce it officially anytime soon. Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has disclosed why the deal has been stuck at the final step.

Ederson has reached a personal agreement with Manchester United on a five-year contract, and for the past one to two weeks, the transfer has been "close to completion" without being sealed. Romano has revealed the final details causing the delay in Ederson's move to United.

"The issue now is technical. Atalanta has just announced that Cristiano Giuntoli will become the new sporting director, and Sarri will take over as head coach," Romano explained. "These individuals will be responsible for finalizing the deal with Manchester United. Negotiations are at a very advanced stage. The player side is done; now it's just waiting for the club side to finalize. However, Atalanta has new people in charge at this moment."

Romano stated that Manchester United fans need not worry about any twists. "Manchester United wants to complete the deal for around €40 million to €45 million. They are finishing up the final details. Unless something crazy happens, Ederson will become a Manchester United player," Romano said.

Italian outlet "TuttoMercatoWeb" reports that Ederson is just "one step away" from joining Manchester United. Negotiations have entered the final phase, with both clubs ironing out the last details. United is expected to conclude all talks within the next few days.

It is understood that Manchester United is not in a rush to make an official announcement and has maintained a cautious approach throughout the negotiations. United has been following Ederson for a long time, showing interest since 2024—more than a year and a half. The 26-year-old Ederson has only one year left on his contract with Atalanta, and no other clubs are currently interested, so there is no risk of being "hijacked."

"talkSPORT" reports that Atletico Madrid, which had previously agreed terms with Ederson, has given up the competition and fully shifted to another Brazilian midfielder, João Gomes, who will leave Premier League relegated side Wolves. Manchester City, United's cross-town rivals, also scouted Ederson before the summer transfer window opened, but the "Cityzens" ultimately decided to pursue Nottingham Forest's England international Elliot Anderson.

Atalanta cannot lose in any case. They signed Ederson from Salernitana in the summer of 2022 for only €22.9 million. The Brazilian midfielder will turn 27 in July, but he missed out on this summer's World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. He is currently on vacation in Rio de Janeiro, waiting to travel to Manchester.

Ederson's shirt number at Manchester United has even entered discussions. He has worn the number 13 jersey at Atalanta, but that number already belongs to Danish international Patrick Dorgu at United. Ederson has also worn numbers 15 and 40, but it is widely believed he will choose the number 17 he wore while playing for Brazil.

Following Garnacho's departure, Manchester United's number 17 is currently vacant. The previous owner of that shirt number was Ederson's Brazilian compatriot Fred. Casemiro's vacated number 18 is the favorite of another player linked with United, 21-year-old Portuguese talent Matheus Fernandes, who used that number at both Southampton and West Ham. Other vacant numbers at United include 12, 14, 20, and 21.