Pep Guardiola confirms intention over Manchester City goalkeepers amid exit rumours | OneFootball

Amid ongoing rumours and conversation surrounding the futures of Manchester City’s main goalkeeping duo, Pep Guardiola has issued a clear message in a new interview.

The club’s long-standing mainstay between the posts in Ederson has once again seen his future thrown into doubt in the lead up to, and during, the ongoing summer transfer window – a continuation from last summer’s understanding.

A number of ambitious sides operating within the Saudi Pro League launched an intense pursuit of the Brazil international during the last summer transfer window, but ultimately fell short of Manchester City’s £50 million valuation.

With City bosses expected to take up the same approach of allowing all players to leave providing they bring a suitable offer to the negotiating table at the Etihad Stadium, a similar stance was due to be taken up regarding Ederson – should he himself be keen on an exit.

As for Stefan Ortega Moreno, the club’s back-up has long been keen on becoming a number one at one of Europe’s premier clubs, and having struggled to secure that role under Pep Guardiola, many sides have looked at the player as a possible market opportunity.

However, amid ongoing talk of Manchester City transfer interest in the likes of FC Porto’s Diogo Costa and Espanyol’s Joan Garcia as possible replacements for either of their existing goalkeeping pair, the club’s head coach has issued a clear message on all situations.

Speaking to Spanish media ahead of an annual golf tournament in Girona this week – in which Pep Guardiola himself is participating – the Manchester City manager has spoken about ongoing talk surrounding the futures of goalkeepers.

One of the names heavily linked with interest from the Etihad Stadium among other clubs across Europe is Joan Garcia, currently excelling at Espanyol and attracting a significant number of media reports concerning his future.

“Joan Garcia is a very good goalkeeper,” Pep Guardiola said of the 24-year-old. “[Manchester] City is interested in 500 players every transfer window.”

He continued, “He’s an Espanyol player, and I don’t know what will happen. The players tell me he’s an extraordinary goalkeeper. The references we have are very good.”

Another name put to the Manchester City manager is Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who is currently at the centre of a huge social media outpouring from Barcelona fans demanding he leaves the club this summer.

On whether the Germany international could be a name that attracts Manchester City, Guardiola responded with a clear message concerning his current duo of first-team shot-stoppers in Ederson and Stefan Ortega Moreno.

“I don’t know much about goalkeepers [leaving or joining the club]. I told them [Ederson and Ortega Moreno] to stay. We’ve talked about the situation of the squad, and the two goalkeepers we have will stay,” Guardiola insisted.

The comments issued by Guardiola will likely come as a significant boost to club supporters hoping for stability between the posts, particularly given the integral role played by both men over the course of the last three seasons in particular.

Manchester City are still expecting change within their rearguard this summer as they anticipate the arrival of Wolves left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, with interest in Newcastle’s Tino Livramento as a potential right-back reinforcement.