Manchester City is preparing to let go of its phenomenal goalkeeper Ederson. The 30-year-old has transformed the goalkeeper position in English football after joining Manchester City during the summer transfer window of 2017. His superb footwork and shot-blocking abilities have cemented his standing as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world, if not the best goalie ever. Nevertheless, Ederson may be searching for a fresh challenge outside of the Etihad Stadium following a trophy-filled seven years at Manchester City, lured by interest from Saudi Arabia.
Manchester City gives Ederson the Go-Ahead to Figure out Saudi Interest
As the last EPL season ended, ambitious Middle Eastern clubs began showing interest in Manchester City’s standout goalie, Ederson. According to reports, these clubs are planning hefty offers to entice the 30-year-old to go. It wasn’t an easy season for Ederson. Injuries provided an opportunity for backup Stefan Ortega, who performed well in his appearances.
Despite the transfer rumors, Ederson is still a Manchester City player, and preseason training is quickly approaching. He’s got plenty of time to talk to his family and team about a possible exit now that Copa America has been skipped.
Ederson was allegedly offered a lucrative deal by Saudi Pro League administrators this summer, who were keen to enhance the league’s prestige. The goalkeeper’s perspective has been clarified by new reports.
Manchester City’s Ederson is thinking about playing at Al-Nassr alongside Aymeric Laporte, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Sadio Mane, according to a recent report by journalist Santi Aouna. It is important to note that no agreement has been signed.
Al-Nassr made an initial offer to Ederson earlier this week, and the two are currently in intensive negotiation.
Will Manchester City Be Able to Keep Up If Ederson Decides to Leave?
Since May, clubs in the Saudi Pro League have been pursuing Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson. Ederson is hardly the best goalie in the world, but right now, he is one of the most sought-after in the market. The surprising part is that according to statistics, Ederson isn’t always the best shot-blocker.
Ederson is rarely subjected to a torrent of shots at Manchester City because of Pep Guardiola’s emphasis on possession. His ability to play the ball well is his genuine strength, comparable to Claudio Bravo’s success at Barcelona under Guardiola. Ederson’s shortcomings as a shot-blocker are concealed by City’s approach to play.
Therefore, even if Ederson’s exit might not seem like much, it could cause problems for City’s established defense. They’ve become accustomed to Ederson’s composed demeanor when he has the ball at his feet—a quality that any successor must have.
Who Is Going To Replace Ederson in Manchester City?
Ederson was expected to arrive in the Middle East last season. But City executives, led by Pep Guardiola, don’t seem to be phased, ranking Ederson as their top player. However, the recent developments have shaped uncertainty about his future at the Etihad. Moreover, multiple reports suggest that City might be looking at other prospects in the upcoming summer market.
Should Ederson decide to embark on an adventure in Saudi Arabia, City will probably look to replace him this summer. The question remains: will they try to improve Ortega or get a new first-choice keeper?
Last season, Ortega made his point. After making an impact in key games against Chelsea, Real Madrid, and Liverpool, he was awarded a well-earned one-year contract extension to keep him at City until 2026.
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