Atalanta midfielder Ederson dos Santos has been rumored to be considering a move to La Liga for some time. For a significant period in 2026, Atletico Madrid seemed to be his most probable destination. However, it now appears that Manchester United has taken the lead in the pursuit of his signature.
Ederson’s contract with Atalanta is set to expire next summer. Consequently, Atalanta is eager to sell him this year to avoid losing him on a free transfer. The 26-year-old was a target for Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window. However, Sporting Director Mateu Alemany was unable to finalize a deal and subsequently acquired Obed Vargas and Rodrigo Mendoza to compensate for the departure of Conor Gallagher.
Manchester United overtakes Atletico Madrid in Ederson transfer race
According to reports from Matteo Moretto, Manchester United has now moved ahead of Atletico Madrid in their bid to sign Ederson. Los Colchoneros have been in discussions with Ederson for a while, aiming to secure his transfer early and preempt interest from Premier League clubs. However, it seems that opportunity may have passed.
Moretto indicates that Atletico had an agreement in place with Ederson for a contract worth approximately €4 million per year. Manchester United has since presented a more lucrative offer, willing to pay him €4.5 million annually.
Neither club has reached an agreement with Atalanta
Despite the improved personal terms offered by Manchester United, neither club has yet agreed on a transfer fee with Atalanta. This lack of agreement hindered Atletico’s efforts during the winter transfer window. Atalanta is reportedly demanding €45 million for Ederson. However, it appears neither club is willing to pay such a substantial fee for a player with only one year remaining on his contract.
Moretto suggests that Ederson’s future is unlikely to be decided until Atalanta lowers their asking price. For Atletico to secure the transfer, they may need to increase their offers to both the player and the club. If he were to join Atletico, he would likely be seen as competition for Johnny Cardoso, with Pablo Barrios and Koke Resurreccion also vying for a midfield position.
