Manchester United's £35m move for Atalanta midfielder Ederson has been thrown into doubt after the Brazilian was handed a shock World Cup call-up – just days before the tournament begins.
Ederson, 26, was named in Carlo Ancelotti's squad on Sunday to replace Roma defender Wesley, who suffered a thigh injury during Brazil's 2-1 friendly win over Egypt. Wesley left the field in tears after 15 minutes at the home of the Cleveland Browns NFL team, and a scan later confirmed a muscle injury to his adductor muscle in his left thigh.
“Man Utd-bound Ederson replaces injured Wesley in Brazil's World Cup squad, delaying his £35m transfer from Atalanta.”
"The CBF regrets the injury. Wesley is a player much loved by the squad and will always be considered part of this team as it seeks to win its sixth World Cup title," the Brazilian Football Confederation said in a statement. "In light of the diagnosis, the CBF announces the call-up of player Éderson, who will join the delegation this Monday in the United States."
The timing is awkward for United, who agreed a £35m fee with Atalanta – rising to £39m with add-ons – earlier this month. The midfielder is expected to become Michael Carrick's first signing, but the transfer was not due to be completed until early July at the earliest. Now Ederson could be away until the World Cup final on 19 July – the day after United's first pre-season friendly against Wrexham.
Ederson, capped three times by Brazil, was initially left out of Ancelotti's final 26-man squad but has now been drafted in to bolster midfield options after only five were initially selected: Bruno Guimaraes, Casemiro, Danilo, Fabinho and Lucas Paqueta. Wesley's absence leaves a defensive gap, but Ancelotti opted to replace him with a midfielder.
United have prioritised central midfield this summer after Casemiro's departure and doubts over Manuel Ugarte, who started just once after April's home defeat by Leeds. The club also covet West Ham's Mateus Fernandes and have been linked with Elliot Anderson and Lewis Hall.
But for now, Carrick must wait. Ederson will link up with Brazil in the United States on Monday, with Group C matches against Morocco on Saturday in New York, Haiti on 19 June in Philadelphia, and Scotland on 24 June in Miami. Should Brazil go deep, his arrival at Old Trafford could be pushed back well into July.