Man City move for goalkeeper could disrupt Arsenal’s summer plans | OneFootball

Man City’s Goalkeeping Dilemma: A Transfer Battle That Could Disrupt Arsenal’s Plans

Manchester City are setting their sights on a new goalkeeper ahead of the summer transfer window, with Ederson’s future increasingly uncertain. According to Caught Offside, initial talks have already taken place for Porto’s Diogo Costa and Espanyol’s Joan Garcia.

Both keepers represent different options, but Garcia’s name will raise eyebrows in North London, with Arsenal having come close to signing him last year. If City ramp up their interest, Mikel Arteta’s side could face a serious roadblock in their pursuit of the Spanish shot-stopper.

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Ederson’s Likely Exit Fuels City’s Search

Ederson has long been a cornerstone of Pep Guardiola’s system, but change is on the horizon. The Brazilian was close to a Saudi Pro League move last summer and an exit remains a strong possibility this year.

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With that in mind, City’s need for a new number one is clear. Costa is the primary target, but Bayern Munich are also in the race. If the Bundesliga giants win that battle, City could turn to Garcia instead—a development that would significantly impact Arsenal’s summer plans.

Arsenal’s Goalkeeping Conundrum

For Arsenal, Garcia has been a long-term target, but his pathway to the starting XI is less straightforward. David Raya, signed on an initial loan from Brentford, has firmly established himself as Mikel Arteta’s number one. Even if Arsenal secure Garcia, it is unlikely he would start ahead of Raya, whereas at City, Ederson’s departure would likely mean greater opportunities for whoever replaces him.

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With City now actively pursuing options, Arsenal may need to rethink their approach if they are serious about landing the Espanyol keeper.

Will City Secure Their Preferred Target?

Despite Bayern’s interest in Costa, City have the financial firepower to make a convincing offer. If Costa proves elusive, Garcia becomes a realistic fallback option. That, in turn, leaves Arsenal in a precarious position, given their previous near-miss in signing the Spaniard.

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As the summer window approaches, City’s goalkeeper search is set to be one of the key narratives, with its effects stretching beyond the Etihad.

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For Manchester City fans, the idea of replacing Ederson is both exciting and nerve-wracking. His ball-playing ability has been instrumental in Guardiola’s system, and while a new signing brings fresh promise, there are concerns about finding a keeper of equal quality.

Diogo Costa certainly fits the bill. At 24, he is already a seasoned performer for Porto and Portugal, boasting elite shot-stopping ability and impressive distribution. But with Bayern Munich in the mix, there’s a risk City could lose out—something fans would find frustrating given the club’s dominance in recruitment in recent years.

Joan Garcia, while a solid alternative, lacks the experience of Costa. If City are serious about maintaining their standards, supporters will hope he is only considered if other targets fall through. More crucially, though, City fans expect decisive action. With Ederson’s exit seemingly inevitable, dragging out this process could leave the club vulnerable going into next season.

Meanwhile, seeing Arsenal struggle to land Garcia would be an amusing subplot for City supporters. The Gunners have been building steadily under Arteta, but this pursuit could remind them that they are still second-best to City when it comes to luring top targets. If Guardiola’s side swoop in and take Garcia from under Arsenal’s noses, it would be another small victory in an ongoing power struggle.

Ultimately, City fans will hope for Costa but expect a capable successor regardless. Given the club’s track record, there’s little reason to doubt that they’ll find the right fit.