With Lookman on the Move, Atalanta Builds Around Ederson

Ederson
  • Atalanta blocks Ederson’s departure despite earlier Saudi interest
  • Retegui sold, Lookman close to leaving, Ederson now untouchable
  • Juric wants to build his midfield around the Brazilian
  • Contract renewal will be a crucial topic, current deal ends in 2027
Atalanta haven’t sold Lookman yet, but it’s increasingly likely, and that makes Ederson virtually untouchable. With Mateo Retegui already gone and Ademola Lookman pushing for a move, the club has no intention of losing a third key player. Among the summer’s top transfer targets for La Dea, Ederson now stands as the one to be protected.Back in early June, Ederson’s departure was not off the table. But with Retegui already sold and Lookman on his way out, eager to leave and showing it, Atalanta’s plans no longer include letting go of the Brazilian. Retegui chased a financial windfall, and Lookman, who resisted leaving last summer due to a lack of proper offers, has made his intentions clear this time. Ederson, on the other hand, has been the model professional, no ultimatums, no drama.

He considered an offer from Al Hilal, backed by coach Simone Inzaghi, but didn’t force a move. That transfer eventually collapsed due to the high commissions demanded by his agent. Juventus and Inter also showed interest, but Inter now look set to keep Calhanoglu and prioritize a striker. As a result, Ederson is set to remain in Bergamo, a pivotal player for new coach Ivan Juric, just as he was under Gian Piero Gasperini.

Among Atalanta’s stars, Ederson is arguably the most irreplaceable. Not just for his talent, but for his position. While the club has looked at Richard Rios of Palmeiras as a potential option, the Colombian isn’t yet at Ederson’s level and counts as a non-EU player, a slot Atalanta would rather keep open. Replacing Ederson would be extremely difficult, and that further increases his importance within the squad.

Renewing his contract is now a priority. While Ederson has so far avoided discussing a new deal, his current contract expires in 2027. Letting the situation drag on could force Atalanta into an uncomfortable decision: sell in January, accept a low offer next summer, or risk losing him for free the following year. In 2022, Atalanta were smart to sign him on terms that satisfied all parties. Today, Ederson is more than a top midfielder – he’s a long-term asset the club must protect.

Juric hopes to build his new Atalanta around the technical, tactical, and emotional growth of the Brazilian. The only threat would be an irresistible offer. Until then, Ederson stays – and becomes the cornerstone of a new cycle in Bergamo.

✨ Summarize this story instantly with AI:

ChatGPT logo ChatGPT Perplexity logo Perplexity Gemini logo Google AI Claude logo Claude Grok logo Grok