Arsenal look increasingly likely to miss out on top midfield target Ederson, who has reportedly given a verbal agreement to join Atletico Madrid. The development, first reported by transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, suggests the Spanish side are now in pole position to finalize a deal with Atalanta ahead of the summer window.
According to the report, the star has informed Atlético of his intention to make the move, with negotiations between the clubs described as progressing positively. While no fee has been officially confirmed, Atalanta are expected to demand a significant sum for the Brazilian, who played a central role in their Europa League triumph and standout Serie A campaign.
For ARSENAL, the news comes as a setback after weeks of scouting and internal discussions over strengthening midfield depth. Mikel Arteta’s side have been working to add physicality, ball-winning qualities and versatility to their engine room — attributes Ederson has showcased consistently in Italy.
His blend of defensive discipline, press resistance and late-arriving threat in the final third made him an appealing option for the Premier League contenders.
The Gunners are not believed to have made a formal bid, but their interest was concrete, with recruitment staff rating Ederson as a strong complement to the existing midfield that Mikel Arteta currently has at his disposal.
Given the club’s broader plans to refresh the squad, missing out on a player seen as both ready-made and long-term could be met with quiet frustration inside the Emirates hierarchy.
From a competitive standpoint, Arsenal will also be aware that midfield depth proved an issue in key moments last season. As they prepare for another title push and a return to the Champions League, landing a dynamic box-to-box profile had become a priority.
Ederson’s combination of energy and tactical intelligence would have offered Arteta more flexibility, particularly in rotating Rice or deploying different structures against elite opponents.
Still, ARSENAL are expected to remain active in the market, with alternative midfield options under review. The north London club have shown in previous windows that they are willing to move quickly when primary targets become unavailable.
The coming weeks will reveal whether they pivot immediately or continue monitoring the situation should any negotiations between Atleti and Atalanta stall.
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