Atalanta 'denied' Newcastle United chance to sign £35m star wanted by Liverpool

Atalanta rebuffed several approaches from Newcastle United to sign Brazilian sensation Ederson, according to reports. Toon head of recruitment Steve Nickson is understood to have flown to Italy to watch Atalanta’s 5-0 win over Frosinone on January 15. Midfield has become a problem area for the Magpies throughout the ongoing injury crisis.

Joelinton has been ruled out for the campaign while Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson have rarely featured in 2023-24. Sandro Tonali’s suspension for breaching betting regulations has also left Eddie Howe light in the engine room.

Reports had suggested Newcastle were preparing a £35million bid for the 24-year-old, who has five Serie A goals this season. That is despite noise around financial restrictions which dominated the news agenda on Tyneside throughout the window.

But fresh claims from Italy have emerged suggesting Atalanta were unwilling to let their talisman leave last month. There is hope, however, that La Dea will be more open to a switch at the end of the campaign.

Ederson’s arrival would strengthen Newcastle’s Brazilian contingent, with Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton enjoying cult-hero status at St James’ Park. Ironically, the latter has been linked with a move to Liverpool - a club also linked with Ederson.

Jurgen Klopp revamped the Reds’ engine room last summer, signing Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai. Offloading five midfielders has paid dividends as Liverpool are top of the Premier League despite many dismissing their title chances in August.

But their future transfer dealings are in limbo until they find a replacement for the German and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke. Should they move for Guimaraes, the Reds would need to trigger the £100million release clause in his Newcastle contract.