Manchester United had agreed the fee with Atalanta as part of their summer midfield rebuild, only to pull out in early July after an initial medical flagged a knee concern.
Speaking ahead of Atalanta's Conference League play-off against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Thursday, the 27-year-old, who has since signed a new contract in Bergamo, made clear the episode remains unresolved in his own mind.
"I honestly don't know what happened," he said. "I always had interest from other clubs, and I could've gone to another English side. The tests went well, I don't know what changed. I've been with Atalanta for four years and always played."
Ederson explained that the strength of his relationship with the club ultimately persuaded him to commit his future to Atalanta rather than wait to see whether United's stance might change.
"I could've just waited to see what happened, but the great rapport with the club convinced me to stay and sign a new contract," he said.
United's version of events, relayed by sources close to the club, differs in emphasis rather than substance. Insiders maintain the club always intended to complete the transfer in early July once personal terms and deal structure had been agreed, but the timeline was complicated when Ederson received a late call-up to Brazil's World Cup squad after Roma defender Wesley picked up an injury — forcing United to conduct the first stage of his medical in the United States.
Once Brazil's tournament run ended, a fuller medical involving specialist input was scheduled, and it was at that stage that United decided against proceeding on the agreed terms. Sources sympathetic to the player and his family strongly denied that the club had called off the deal before that full medical took place, though the uncertainty was enough to prompt United to begin exploring other options in parallel.
United went on to sign Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos from Chelsea for £50m, and are hoping to add Brighton's Carlos Baleba before the transfer window closes.
Ederson, meanwhile, made 41 appearances in all competitions for Atalanta last season, taking his total for the club to 180 across four years, and struck a more settled tone when reflecting on how the situation had been resolved.
"I had lovely moments going to the World Cup with Brazil, and then... I still don't know what happened, to be honest," he said. "But the important thing is that I was able to deal with the situation, return with the right mentality and give my all to the club that gave me so much. I am still Ederson — everyone knows me here and what I can do, they know I will always give my all."
He added a note of gratitude towards the club's hierarchy for standing by him throughout the saga.
"I am very happy to remain with Atalanta, I really thank the club and [CEO] Luca Percassi," he said. "They called me many times, I felt they were by my side, but even though I had interest from other clubs, after everything that happened, I thought it was best to stick with who really wanted me, and that was always Atalanta. I was happy to wear the jersey that has given me so much joy."