- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that Manchester City have been left shocked and surprised at by one key player’s decision to ‘consider his options’ in the summer.
Since Pep Guardiola’s appointment at Manchester City in 2016, Ederson has been one of the key forces behind the club’s recent success.
HITC reported in February that the club were keen on opening contract talks with the Brazilian shot stopper to renew his terms at the Etihad Stadium.
The future of the City goalkeeper is set to be called into question this summer despite the club having opened talks over a new deal for the Brazilian.
Ederson wants to consider his options
However, despite the attempts from City to tie the goalkeeper down to a new deal, HITC has been told that it emerged via the player’s representatives that the 30-year-old was not ready to put pen-to-paper.
City have been told that Ederson was looking at possible options – should he decide to leave the club and they have responded by informing him that they would consider letting him go if they received a substantial offer. HITC understands that the Saudi Pro League has shown an interest.
City have previously sold Riyad Mahrez to the Saudi Pro League and could be set to do so again with Ederson.
City’s plan
If the club were to lose Ederson, which would be a big blow, this could open the door for Stefan Ortega to become the new number one.
The Premier League champions were already assessing their goalkeeping options before the Ederson situation arose as their stand-out number two Ortega had himself told the club he would rather be playing first-team football having shone when filling in for Ederson.
With this news about Ederson emerging, City are understood to now be keen on tying down the German to a new long-term deal with assurances that he could become the club’s new number one.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
