Pep Guardiola hints at goalkeeper change as transfer deadline day looms | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has hinted that further change to his goalkeeping department could be right around the corner.

The Catalan coach has had plenty of selection dilemmas to deal with across his squad during the early stages of the new season, but few have generated more speculation than his choices between the posts.

Ederson’s future has remained a major talking point throughout the transfer window, with Turkish clubs Galatasaray and Fenerbahce registering interest. Meanwhile, Gianluigi Donnarumma has been closely monitored by City officials as a potential replacement.

Adding further intrigue, Stefan Ortega Moreno’s situation has also remained unclear. The German shot-stopper has made no secret of his ambitions to be a first-choice goalkeeper, whether at City or elsewhere, leaving Guardiola with a delicate balancing act to manage within his ranks.

Rising talent James Trafford, who impressed at Burnley and with England Under-21s, has already been given a run in the starting XI this season following his emotional return to the Etihad Stadium, adding yet another layer to the ongoing debate.

This backdrop has left many to question whether City are in transition between eras. Ederson, now into his eighth season at the Etihad Stadium, has been one of Guardiola’s most trusted lieutenants since his arrival from Benfica in 2017.

Speaking with Sky Sports ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League meeting with Brighton, Pep Guardiola was quizzed on his goalkeeping pecking order this season, with James Trafford starting a third consecutive Premier League match for the club.

“I decided in these games [to go with] James and tomorrow [Monday] we will finish the transfer window, and after we will see what happens,” Guardiola responded.

The Catalan coach continued, “The season is so long, my keepers always play a lot of games during the season.”

With Guardiola’s comments coming just hours before the closure of the window, many will view them as a hint that further movement could still take place.

Fenerbahce remain in direct negotiations with Manchester City for Ederson after an initial bid was rejected, while the prospect of Gianluigi Donnarumma moving to the Etihad Stadium has been linked to any final decision.

Should Ederson complete a move away, Trafford could find himself elevated to a long-term starting role sooner than expected. On the other hand, a high-profile arrival like Donnarumma would add fierce competition and potentially push the 22-year-old back down the order.

Stefan Ortega’s future would also come into sharper focus, with opportunities likely to be limited should Pep Guardiola end up with four senior goalkeepers on his books, including Marcus Bettinelli.

The coming hours, therefore, could be decisive. Pep Guardiola’s guarded but suggestive words underline that City’s goalkeeping landscape is not yet settled, and the club’s actions on deadline day may define how this season unfolds between the posts.