Pep Guardiola and Manchester City coach hold ‘remote meeting’ with Ederson replacement | OneFootball

Manchester City’s manager has held a direct conversation with the club’s priority target to replace the outgoing Ederson between the posts this summer, according to reports.

The club’s long-standing number one choice goalkeeper is expected to be open to the idea of a move away from the Etihad Stadium this summer after an illustrious and arguably revolutionary time in English football.

Arriving at City from Benfica in 2017, Ederson has established himself as the master of ball-playing from the goalkeeper positioning, showcasing a remarkable passing range that has in turn set a new record for most assists by a player in his position in the Premier League.

But after a season that has largely been marred by injury and fitness problems, Manchester City appear to be set on making a significant change between the posts this summer, while Ederson himself is showing an interest in a new adventure outside of Europe.

It follows a summer transfer window in 2024 when Manchester City were open to selling Ederson but only at their £50 million valuation, while a number of clubs in Saudi Arabia were unwilling to bid any more than £30 million.

Now, ahead of a busy summer market once again, and according to the information of Sky’s Sacha Tavolieri, Manchester City’s incoming sporting director Hugo Viana is working on finalising a deal for Porto’s Diogo Costa – a move ‘validated’ by head coach, Pep Guardiola.

It is claimed that the City boss considers such a move to be a ‘priority’, while Costa himself has already held a ‘remote meeting’ with both Pep Guardiola and the club’s goalkeeping coach, Xabier Mancisidor to reassure him of his place as the club’s next number one.

Following the meeting, the report states the 25-year-old gave the green light to an Etihad Stadium move, although his current employers have no intention of handing out ‘any gifts’ given the €75 million release clause in his contract and the player deemed ‘irreplaceable’.

Hugo Viana is said to be in ‘constant contact’ with agent Jorge Mendes over a deal for a reduced valuation, maintaining the pressure to secure an agreement which Manchester City hope to come below €60 million.

A move for a new number one goalkeeper at the Etihad Stadium may also raise question marks over the future of Stefan Ortega Moreno, who has been insistent upon his belief of becoming a new lead choice shot-stopper at one of Europe’s best clubs.

The Germany international has attracted interest from a number of clubs over the last few months aware of his Manchester City situation, including the Bundesliga’s Bayer Leverkusen and the Premier League’s Nottingham Forest.

The former may emerge as an interesting candidate for the player, not only for the purpose of a move back to his home nation but also for Manchester City; who remain focussed on an ambitious move for Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz as Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term replacement.