Manchester City reportedly identify a potential new number one goalkeeper amid suggestions that Ederson could seek pastures new this summer.
Manchester City have reportedly identified a potential new number one goalkeeper amid suggestions that Ederson could seek pastures new this summer.
Ederson has been the Citizens’ undisputed first-choice shot-stopper ever since he moved to the Etihad Stadium from Benfica in June 2017 for around £35m.
The 30-year-old has made a total of 332 appearances for Man City across all competitions, keeping 155 clean sheets, and he has won 17 trophies during his seven-year spell at the club.
Ederson has won more Premier League titles than any other goalkeeper in the division’s history, overtaking Peter Schmeichel, after celebrating his sixth triumph with Man City earlier this month.
The Brazil international remains a key figure in Pep Guardiola‘s squad and has two years remaining on his contract at the Etihad, but speculation over a possible summer exit has surfaced this month.
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Ederson attracting interest from Saudi Arabia?
According to recent reports, it is a “possibility” that Ederson could leave Man City if a “good proposal” is offered to him this summer.
Ederson was visibly enraged after coming off in a Premier League win at Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month with a fractured eye socket, and he hinted on social media after the match that his injury was not the sole reason for his fury.
Indeed, Ederson posted on Instagram: ‘No one understands, but me. See you soon’, raising questions over whether he was hinting that he has now played his final game for Man City.
It is understood that Saudi Pro League clubs including Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al-Nassr are willing to pay around £25m in an attempt to lure Ederson to the Middle East.
Al-Nassr are believed to be on the lookout for a new goalkeeper, as current number one David Ospina, 35, is set to leave the club at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract.
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Man City to promote Ortega if Ederson leaves?
Should Ederson decide to leave Man City this summer, Football Insider claims that the Citizens are ready to promote Stefan Ortega and make him the club’s new number one goalkeeper.
Ortega has played second fiddle to Ederson ever since he join Man City as a free agent in the summer of 2022 and has subsequently made just 34 first-team appearances, with a significant chunk of those taking place in cup competitions.
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old has impressed when called upon by Guardiola, who labelled the German as “one of the best goalkeeper” he has ever seen following his “incredible” impact as a substitute against Spurs earlier this month.
Ortega, who is believed to be keen to establish himself as a number one as he heads into the prime years of his career, will soon be entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad and is yet to enter advanced talks over an extension.