Manchester City agree £3.2m deal with Marseille for goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli | OneFootball

Manchester City have reached an agreement with Olympique Marseille for the transfer of goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.

According to journalist Cesar Luis Merlo, the Cityzens will pay £3.2 million to sign Rulli on a permanent deal.

The Argentina international will join on a two-year deal until 2028, and will serve as cover for Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The 34-year-old is set for a second spell at the Etihad Stadium, a decade on from originally joining the club for £4m.

Rulli to replace James Trafford as second-choice goalie

City identified Rulli as their target to strengthen the goalkeeper position this summer.

With England international James Trafford set to join Leeds United, the club needed an understudy to Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The former Burnley man joined the club to be a starting goalkeeper, but the club decided against passing up the opportunity to sign Donnarumma last summer.

Trafford was confined to a back-up role, featuring only in cup games for the Cityzens.

Rulli is coming into the squad to play the same role, having made 39 appearance for Marseille last season.

A FIFA World Cup winner in 2022, Rulli has played for teams in Argentina, Spain, France and the Netherlands in his senior career.

The 34-year-old is sufficiently experienced to play for Enzo Maresca’s side whenever the need arises.

He played under Roberto De Zerbi at Marseille, showcasing his ball-playing ability.

This quality would make him suited to playing under Maresca, who favours goalkeepers who have sufficient ability with the ball at their feet.

Rulli’s two-year deal leaves room for the development of Pierce Charles, who was signed from Sheffield Wednesday this summer.

The 21-year-old will spend the season on loan at Queens Park Rangers before potentially returning to challenge for a place in the squad.