Manchester City supporters allegedly receive a boost in the hope of keeping hold of key duo Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson this summer amid reported interest from Saudi Arabia.
Manchester City expect key duo Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson to remain at the club this summer amid interest from Saudi Arabia, according to a report.
De Bruyne is the longest-serving player within Pep Guardiola‘s current first-team squad having spent the last nine seasons at the Etihad Stadium, recording 102 goals and 170 assists in 382 appearances.
The 32-year-old playmaker has won a total of 16 trophies at Man City, including six Premier League titles and one Champions League, and is still regarded as an integral first-team member of Guardiola’s squad.
However, having now entered the final year of his contract, De Bruyne has been tipped to make the move to the Middle East, with one report claiming that he has reached a ‘verbal agreement’ to join Saudi Pro League club Al Ittihad this summer.
Last month, De Bruyne refused to rule out a big-money move to Saudi Arabia, although he has since suggested that he could yet stay at the Etihad next season, raising further questions marks over his future.
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Ederson also facing uncertain future
Ederson, meanwhile, has been Man City’s undisputed number one goalkeeper ever since he joined the club in 2017, keeping 155 clean sheets in 332 appearances.
The six-time Premier League winner still has two years remaining on his contract at the Etihad, but it has been suggested that the Brazilian could leave the club if a ‘good proposal’ is offered to him this summer.
Recent reports claim that Man City are bracing themselves for a bid from a club in the Saudi Pro League for the 30-year-old goalkeeper.
That club is believed to be Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al-Nassr who are said to have offered Ederson a lucrative two-year contract worth a total of €60m (£51m).
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De Bruyne, Ederson to stay at Man City?
Although both Ederson and De Bruyne are open to the possibility of seeking pastures new this summer, The Athletic reports that Man City ‘expect’ both players to remain at the Etihad for the 2024-25 season.
The report adds that the Citizens have been exploring the goalkeeper market amid uncertainty over Ederson’s future, although that was largely driven by doubts around the future of number two Stefan Ortega, who has since extended his contract.
As things stand, Man City are not expecting to delve into the summer transfer market to bring in any major replacements, including for De Bruyne and Ederson as well as Bernardo Silva, who has also been tipped to depart.
Man City are, however, reportedly ‘on the brink’ of signing Brazilian starlet Savio on a long-term deal from City Football Group sister club Troyes.