It was a goal that crystallised Gian Piero Gasperini’s vision of football, and it was fitting it came in the ‘Scala del Calcio’.

Sixty-one minutes into AC Milan’s game against Atalanta, the away side went on the attack. Mario Pasalic shifted the ball towards Ademola Lookman down the left-hand side.

The Nigerian cut inside and drifted towards the centre of the pitch before lofting a gorgeous diagonal pass for the onrushing Raoul Bellanova.

The right wing-back headed the ball backwards towards Ederson, who’d made a darting run into the area from midfield. The Brazilian hurled himself at the ball, his diving header bouncing into the ground and over Milan stopper Mike Maignan.

It was wonderful, it was rapid, it was fluid. It was vintage Atalanta.

La Dea went on to win the game, and the result will go a long way in securing third spot in the table and another season of Champions League football to look forward to for fans.

Finding the back of the net isn’t normally in Ederson’s job description, but the header in Milan was his fourth goal of the season, and he’s close to matching his record of six last season – his best return since moving to Italy in 2022 from Brazil.

Signed from Salernitana two summer’s ago after just a year in Campania, the Brazilian formed a brilliant partnership with Teun Koopmeiners at the heart of midfield. 

Both possessed an engine, were aggressive, could shoot, tackle and get up and down the pitch. In fact, one of the reasons Koopmeiners has struggled at Juventus this season is, besides from being utilised in the wrong position by the recently-sacked Thiago Motta, is the lack of an Ederson in Turin.

For all the dynamic brilliance of Lookman, the balletic grace of Gianluca Scamacca and cleverness of Charles De Ketelaere ghosting between the lines, it was the pairing of Koopmeiners and Ederson that made Atalanta Europa League winners.

Moreover, while Koopmeiners got the goals and the big move to Juve, it could be argued Ederson was the more important of the pair. Had Juve signed the latter and not the former, their season might look a whole lot different.

Such has been Ederson’s form in Bergamo over the past 18 months he’s been selected by the Selecao, making his debut against Mexico last June. Since then, he’s played a further two times, but with Brazil lacking a player of Ederson’s quality in midfield, the number of caps is surely bound to rise.

The argument could be made Ederson is the best midfielder in Serie A at present, and his performances haven’t gone unnoticed. The sharks of European football are starting to gather.

According to a report in Italy, Manchester United sent scouts to watch the win over Milan at San Siro, with Ederson and Mateo Retegui in their sights. 

United’s neighbours Man City have also been linked with a move for the Brazilian in recent months, as they look to rebuild their midfield following a substandard season.

Retegui didn’t impress against Milan, but United will have been happy in what they saw from Ederson, and it wouldn’t be surprising if a bid was being formulated this summer. 

The clubs, owing to the Rasmus Hojlund deal, have a good rapport and a deal could be done relatively easy. 

However, considering Atalanta will be in the Champions League next season — barring a monumental collapse in the final straight — and United likely won’t unless they win the Europa League, should Ederson consider a move?

Ederson will likely have seen how other Serie A imports Hojlund, Andre Onana and Joshua Zirkzee have all fared at Old Trafford and could decide against a move. Of course, the financial package will be of major importance, and on that score La Dea will be beaten hands down.

Signed for just under €23m from Salernitana, Ederson’s value, according to website Transfermarkt, now stands at €50m. Atalanta would likely demand more.

This summer will be a massive test of Atalanta’s resolve. The player will have no doubt looked at his former midfield partner Koopmeiner’s subsequent struggles at Juve and may decide to remain where he is.

Of course, much also depends on whether Gasperini stays or goes, with noises coming from the 66-year-old that this might be his final campaign with the club. 

Yet what isn’t in doubt is that Ederson has quietly elevated himself into one of the best midfielders in the league, and with his contract expiring in 14 months’ time Atalanta’s priority should be tying him down to a long-term deal.