Man Utd Offered £31m ‘Opportunity’ by Hostile Serie A Agent to Right Huge 2024 Transfer Mistake

In the summer of 2024, Manchester United found themselves tangled in a web of transfer uncertainties. The club’s search for a midfield upgrade dominated the headlines, with multiple names being thrown into the mix as Erik ten Hag sought to replace Scott McTominay and bring a fresh dynamism to his midfield.

One of the most notable targets was Manuel Ugarte, whose move to Paris Saint-Germain became the subject of long-running speculation, with United hesitant to meet PSG’s €60m valuation. The club’s midfield woes were evident, with McTominay’s performances consistently falling short of expectations for a club of Manchester United’s stature.

On top of that, Casemiro’s decline was becoming more pronounced, as Jamie Carragher’s notorious remarks about the Brazilian—“leave the football before the football leaves you”—added to the growing sense of urgency. United’s midfield needed bolstering, and soon.

While Ugarte was top of the wishlist, United soon found themselves exploring alternatives. Players like Burnley’s Sander Berge and Wolves’ Joao Gomes were mentioned, but one name that stood out as a potential solution was Ederson, the talented Brazilian midfielder from Atalanta. However, the Serie A side’s asking price made things tricky. Atalanta were reportedly demanding a fee comparable to that of PSG’s Ugarte, and the transfer seemed just as complicated.

A Disastrous 2024 Transfer Window for United?

As the summer window progressed, it seemed that United’s transfer dealings were becoming increasingly bizarre. The idea of selling McTominay to Napoli, where he would go on to win Serie A MVP and the Scudetto, was seen as a baffling decision by many. Adding to this the failed pursuit of Ugarte, who eventually dropped in price to €50m, it seemed like a monumental error in judgment.

Ugarte, once touted as a midfield enforcer for United, has underwhelmed at PSG, failing to make the impact that the United hierarchy had hoped for. More often than not, he appeared to be a passenger in the midfield, struggling to impose himself against top-tier opposition. With hindsight, the €50m fee that PSG paid is now seen as a gross overpayment, leaving United to rue the missed opportunity to sign someone more suited to their needs.

The £31m Chance to Right the Wrong

Enter Ederson—at least, potentially. United might have a chance to right their transfer mistakes by securing the Brazilian midfielder at a much more reasonable price. According to Ederson’s agent, Andre Cury, Atalanta could be willing to part ways with the 25-year-old for as little as £31m (€35-40m), a dramatic drop from the €60-75m price tag the Serie A side had originally placed on him.

“It’s an opportunity because his contract is expiring,” Cury said. “Atalanta didn’t want to sell him despite receiving very high offers. I think they will do it in this January window or in the summer.”

With his contract set to expire in 2027, Ederson’s value has significantly decreased, and the Italian club might now be more inclined to sell, especially if they want to avoid losing him for free in the future. The drop in price makes Ederson a far more affordable option than Ugarte, and the Brazilian’s impressive stats in Serie A have drawn the attention of several European clubs, including United.

Cury also went on to praise his client’s quality, stating: “He’s a spectacular player with some of the best statistics in Europe for his position.”

Ederson: A Dynamic Midfield Solution

Ederson has been one of the standout performers for Atalanta, often praised for his technical ability, vision, and defensive work rate. His role as a box-to-box midfielder has made him one of the most sought-after players in Europe, with a reputation for controlling games and contributing both defensively and offensively.

For Manchester United, Ederson would represent a significant upgrade in terms of midfield quality. His versatility could provide the much-needed balance to a midfield that has been lacking in creativity and aggression. The Brazilian’s ability to dictate the tempo of the game and disrupt opposition attacks would complement the styles of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, creating a more cohesive unit.

The potential of signing Ederson for just £31m—half of what Atalanta originally demanded—could be a move that allows United to salvage their 2024 transfer window. With Ederson’s technical ability and experience in Serie A, he could be exactly what Ten Hag’s team needs to move forward and contend at the highest levels once again.

What’s Next for Manchester United?

The clock is ticking for Manchester United, and the January transfer window will provide them with another opportunity to strengthen their squad. If they can take advantage of Ederson’s availability at a cut price, it would be a major step in addressing their midfield issues.

For Atalanta, parting with a player of Ederson’s caliber would be a tough decision, but with his contract winding down, the writing might be on the wall. For United, the ball is now in their court—will they act swiftly to secure this opportunity, or will they risk missing out yet again?