Newcastle United’s pursuit of Atalanta midfielder Ederson may be over before it even begun as the Serie A outfit responding to the Premier League giants with a ‘firm no’.
That is according to Italian publication Calciomercato, Newcastle United’s pursuit of a Sandro Tonali replacement hitting more brick walls than a dizzy bluebottle desperately trying to find an open window.
A potential loan-to-buy deal for Ruben Neves – who represents another PIF-funded club in Al-Hilal – could be held up by red tape. According to The Athletic, Newcastle’s Premier League rivals are looking into the prospect of banning ‘multi-club’ transfers.
Teun Koopmeiners, meanwhile, is simply too expensive at £60 million.
Koopmeiners has been outstanding over the last 18 months at Atalanta, forming an excellent partnership with another La Dea enforcer with admirers at St James’ Park. Atalanta are now exactly welcoming Newcastle’s interest in Ederson either, however.
Calciomercato say that The Magpies have already received a ‘firm no’ after indicating that they were willing to stump up £17 million for the former Salernitana man. At any rate, Atalanta value Ederson at closer to £35 million.
“(Ederson is on a) growing journey. An extraordinary boy, on and off the pitch,” Atalanta CEO Luca Percassi tells Sky Italia of the Brazilian, who scored a late equaliser in the 1-1 draw at Udinese last time out. “His performances speak for him. We are happy with what he is doing. The club has made a great investment and we need to be patient.
“Last year, he already played well but this year even more so.”
A Barcelona target
Atalanta’s Player of the Month for October, Ederson has also caught the eye of Barcelona.
Mundo Deportivo say that the La LIga champions are on the lookout for a long-term Sergio Busquets successor. Ederson’s ball-winning ability, passing range and dribbling skills have earned him a place on Xavi’s shopping list but – as Newcastle have already discovered – Atalanta are unlikely to let their most in-form player go without a fight.
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