Man City keen for Ederson stay amid Saudi interest - source

Posted Saturday, June 01, 2024 by ESPN

Goalkeeper Ederson will have to ask for a transfer if he wants to leave Manchester City this summer, a source has told ESPN.

Ederson has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League (SPL), but City are not actively looking to part with him and offers will only be considered if the Brazil international makes it clear he wants to leave the Etihad Stadium.

The 30-year-old has spent seven years at City, winning the Premier League title six times.

He is Pep Guardiola's undisputed No. 1, having made more than 300 appearances since arriving at the club from Benfica in 2017. Signing a new first-choice goalkeeper is not among City's squad plans for the summer but, a source told ESPN that the club will back themselves to find a suitable replacement if Ederson decides to move on.

Al Ittihad are among the clubs to have registered an interest with Ederson's representatives.

Ederson has attracted interest from Saudi Pro League clubs.

He has a contract until 2026 and City remain open to negotiating an extension if he turns down the chance to leave.

There are also doubts about the future of Ederson's understudy, Stefan Ortega.

Ortega will enter the final year of his contract this summer, and City risk losing the German on a free transfer in 2025 if fresh terms cannot be agreed.

A source has told ESPN that City have made the 31-year-old an offer but, as things stand, it has not yet been signed.

Ortega, according to a source, is facing a decision between remaining second-choice at City or moving clubs to find more regular first-team football.

Guardiola is a big fan of Ortega and is keen for him to stay. However, there is an acceptance he may want to move and become No.1 somewhere else.

Meanwhile, sources have told ESPN that there is growing hope Bernardo Silva might stay this summer. The midfielder has a £50 million ($66m) release clause in his contract and is keen to pursue a fresh challenge after seven years at the Etihad.

Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain have shown interest in the past but, according to a source, Barcelona are unlikely to have the necessary funds for the transfer and Silva has slipped down PSG's list of summer targets.

City are open to offers for Kalvin Phillips and are prepared to sanction another loan move. The midfielder, who struggled on loan at West Ham during the second half of the season, has interest from Everton.