Ederson eyes Manchester City transfer despite Pep Guardiola request | OneFootball

Manchester City’s mainstay number one choice between the posts, Ederson is eyeing a potential exit from the Etihad Stadium this summer.

There have been long-standing question marks over both of Pep Guardiola’s main goalkeeping options throughout the course of the season and in the lead up to the summer market, with uncertainty as to whether either player would be at the club come the new season.

The aforementioned Brazil international has been a primary option for several clubs in Saudi Arabia for well over 12 months, and despite an openness to negotiate an exit from the side of City last summer, no such deal would come to fruition due to differences in valuation.

As for Stefan Ortega Moreno, the Germany international has held ambitions of becoming a number one choice between the posts throughout his time at Manchester City, and has opened himself up to opportunities elsewhere to achieve that.

In the opening days of the summer, Etihad officials have been linked with a number of goalkeeping transfers including Espanyol’s Joan Garcia and Porto’s Diogo Costa, although comments from Pep Guardiola have thrown doubts over any new shot-stopping arrivals.

Speaking to Spanish media on Monday afternoon, the Manchester City manager said, “I don’t know much about goalkeepers [joining/leaving the club]. I tell them to stay. We’ve talked about the situation of the squad, and the two goalkeepers we have will stay.”

However, according to The Athletic’s Jordan Campbell, Manchester City’s Ederson is open to a move to the Saudi Pro League this summer, just one year on from intense efforts made in the Middle-East to recruit the Brazil international.

As things stand, there have been no indications that Saudi Arabian clubs are willing to re-ignite their interest from last summer in Manchester City’s main shot-stopper, and as such it remains likely that he will feature at the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup for Guardiola.

Manchester City’s first-team players not selected for duty with their respective international teams are expected to return to training next Monday, ahead of jetting out to the United States for the start of the expanded competition.

Among the players expected to be the first to return are Ederson and Savinho, both of whom were not selected by Carlo Ancelotti’s in his first Brazil squad, in addition to Jack Grealish and Phil Foden – both left out of Thomas Tuchel’s England side.