Manchester City would not stand in the way of Ederson leaving for Saudi Arabia this summer, should the Brazilian wish to pursue a new challenge.
The 30-year-old lifted his sixth Premier League title this past Sunday as City saw off the challenge of Arsenal on the final day of the season, though he watched on from the sidelines for the 3-1 win over West Ham United after fracturing his eye socket against Tottenham Hotspur four days prior.
Ederson has now won 17 trophies at City in his seven seasons at the club, was named FIFA Best Goalkeeper for 2023 and picked up three consecutive Premier League Golden Glove awards between 2020 and 2022.
News of a potential move to Saudi Arabia broke at the beginning of the week, and 90min understands that the interest emanates from Jeddah, where Al Ittihad and Al Ahli – two clubs financed by PIF – could be in the market for a new goalkeeper. Liverpool’s Alisson Becker has also been linked.
Sources have confirmed that City are not actively looking to sell Ederson, who has two years remaining on his contract, but are open to possibility of him leaving under the right terms, which is a stance they have taken with many first-team players.
The Brazilian would likely earn a significant pay rise in the Middle East and City could expect to receive a healthy fee for their number one – money that the eight-time Premier League winners would likely invest into signing a new goalkeeper rather than elevating 31-year-old Stefan Ortega, whose own future at the Etihad Stadium has been called into question, to the role of starter.
As it stands, no proposal has yet been put forward to City, nor has the player’s camp been approached regarding personal terms, but there’s expected to be more big-name transfers completed this summer as the Saudi Pro League looks to enhance its reputation further. Dealmakers are targeting half-a-dozen marquee signings from a list of around 20 options.
In the short-term, Ederson must get over the disappointment of missing out on Brazil’s squad for the Copa America – an enforced absence that is a direct result of his facial injury. The blow is the latest setback for the former Benfica goalkeeper, who missed a month of action in March after sustaining a thigh injury at Anfield and was also withdrawn at half-time during City’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest in April.
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