Pep Guardiola issues major doubts over Ederson’s Manchester City future | OneFootball

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson “has to make a decision” on his future at the Etihad Stadium, Pep Guardiola has commented this week.

The Brazilian goalkeeper returned to training ground duties and match action for the Premier League champions over the last two weeks, taking on 45 minutes of pre-season action in the club’s 3-4 defeat to Celtic on Tuesday night.

Replacing Stefan Ortega at the half-time interval in planned changes established by Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff before the contest, Ederson showcased exactly what the club could be missing should he leave this summer, particularly in the ball-playing department.

Ederson has been at the centre of hot transfer speculation since the closing stages of last season, opening the door to Saudi Arabian interest, and allowing Manchester City to receive bids from the Middle-East as they eye a €50 million agreement in order to sanction a move.

But speaking to the media following Manchester City’s pre-season tour opener against Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic, Pep Guardiola issued somewhat of a significant update on the future of the 30-year-old shot-stopper.

As relayed by the Manchester Evening News’ Joe Bray, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has said that he does not know if Ederson will stay at the Etihad Stadium beyond this summer and into the new season.

The Catalan coach went on to state that his first-choice goalkeeper “has to make a decision” on his future in the coming days and weeks, before clarifying that there has been no contact yet from any club.

Al-Nassr became the first Saudi Pro League club to turn admiration and a watching brief into concrete proposals and conversations with Manchester City, submitting a £25 million opening offer before withdrawing their interest after the offer was immediately turned down.

Al-Ittihad then swooped in to try and take advantage of the situation, however it remains to be seen whether the club will deem it necessary to test Manchester City’s resolve over their firm price tag on Ederson.

Should Manchester City find an agreement and Ederson brings an end to his illustrious stay at the Etihad Stadium, then the club will likely turn to the market to find a new back-up, before promoting Stefan Ortega into the first-choice role.