Real Madrid goalkeeper on Manchester City transfer shortlist amid potential Ederson exit to Saudi Arabia | OneFootball

Manchester City are claimed to have placed Real Madrid goalkeeper Andrey Lunin on their transfer shortlist amid a possible exit for mainstay shot-stopper Ederson.

The aforementioned Brazilian goalkeeper is understood to be weighing up his options following the conclusion of last season, and in light of ambitious approaches from Saudi Arabia despite the absence of an official offer to Manchester City.

Reports in the last few days have claimed that the 30-year-old goalkeeper is subject to a staggering financial offer from the Middle-East, forcing him to think about whether to take a new next step in his career after seven years at the Etihad Stadium.

There is a sense of confidence around the Saudi Pro League that Ederson would be willing to take the challenge in a rapidly-developing ecosystem of football, whilst Manchester City are seemingly preparing for what some are seeing as the worst possible outcome.

The latest claims have seen the Premier League champions linked with a name that they know very well following their recent exploits in Europe’s premier club competition, with that news emerging from Spanish media.

According to the information of Bernabeu Digital, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City have Real Madrid and Ukraine international goalkeeper Andrey Lunin on their transfer shortlist, should Ederson depart for Saudi Arabia this summer.

It is claimed that the 25-year-old ‘meets the parameters set’ by Pep Guardiola and his City team as he is ‘young and ready to be a starter’, and the Etihad club themselves ‘watched him impress’ last season in their UEFA Champions League meetings with Real Madrid.

City are said to want to take advantage of Lunin’s ‘current doubts’ at the Santiago Bernabéu, where the Ukrainian international is expected to return to the substitutes bench next season following the return of Thibaut Courtois from injury.

Some may feel that Lunin’s agent being Jorge Mendes gives Manchester City an extra advantage, given their strong relationship with the world-renowned Portuguese football representative, who is ‘already looking for offers’ and ‘holding a renewal offer at arm’s length’.

Should Manchester City turn towards Lunin, information from the ever-reliable Fabrizio Romano would indicate that the Ukrainian would take up the role of back-up at the Etihad Stadium too, with faith shown in Stefan Ortega Moreno.

The German shot-stopper was rewarded with a new contract this summer following a string of impressive performances for Manchester City throughout the most recent season, extending his stay at the club until the summer of 2026 at the earliest.

Ortega is largely seen to have pushed Ederson all the way since his arrival from Arminia Bielefeld on a free transfer in the summer of 2022, consistently stating that he is not satisfied by not just being a back-up and holds a clear aim to become the club’s new number one.