Pep Guardiola confirms Manchester City’s number one choice goalkeeper | OneFootball

Ederson seemingly remains Pep Guardiola’s clear number one choice goalkeeper for the 2025/26 season, despite intensifying links with a move away from the club.

The Brazilian shot-stopper has faced persistent uncertainty over his future in recent months, with Galatasaray exploring a possible move for the long-standing first-choice mainstay between the posts at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City themselves have been linked with alternative options, including FC Porto’s Diogo Costa at one point and most recently Gianluigi Donnarumma at PSG, fuelling suggestions that the Etihad side could soon move on from their long-standing number one.

Despite the transfer talk, Ederson’s status under Pep Guardiola has rarely wavered. The 32-year-old has been central to City’s dominance in English football since his arrival in 2017, collecting multiple Premier League titles and forming a crucial part of the build-up system with his distribution and composure under pressure.

Questions were heightened over the summer with Stefan Ortega Moreno keen on securing a first-choice role elsewhere, while James Trafford started City’s opening Premier League clash at Wolves. That led to speculation that Guardiola may be preparing to gradually transition his goalkeeping options ahead of schedule.

But speaking prior to the 0-4 win at Molineux, Pep Guardiola confirmed to reporters that as things stand, Ederson remains Manchester City’s number one choice goalkeeper for the now-ongoing 2025/26 campaign.

Offering further thoughts on the Brazilian when reconvening with reporters at Molineux, Guardiola added, “Today he [Ederson] would have played, the problem he had he was ill. What happened? I don’t know.”

While Guardiola’s words may provide clarity for the immediate future, the long-term picture remains uncertain. Ederson’s contract at the Etihad Stadium runs until 2026, and with repeated Turkish interest, City could yet face a difficult decision should a suitable offer arrive in the final weeks of the window.

At the same time, Manchester City’s scouting of potential successors such as Gianluigi Donnarumma indicates the club are actively preparing for a post-Ederson era, even if that transition is not imminent.

Much will depend on the Brazilian’s own stance and whether he seeks a fresh challenge after nine years in Manchester, and whether Galatasaray in particular satisfy the demands of both player and club during ongoing negotiations.