Report: Man City handed major boost as key player commits to club | OneFootball

Ederson Dismisses Saudi Rumours and Commits Future to Manchester City

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has firmly quashed speculation linking him with a move away from the Etihad Stadium, confirming his commitment to the club in a statement that will reassure City supporters and staff alike. Speaking to the media, the Brazilian international made clear that his focus remains entirely on helping the club regain domestic and European success.

In quotes shared by Sky Sports, Ederson addressed the persistent rumours that he was set for a big-money transfer to the Saudi Pro League.

“My future is here,” Ederson said. “My friends send me a lot of news but 99 per cent is fake news. You guys need the news to get a like on social media, but [there is] a lot of fake news around my name.”

The 30-year-old’s declaration comes at a critical time for Manchester City. With key players being linked to moves abroad and growing interest in Premier League stars from Saudi clubs, Ederson’s decision to stay provides a much-needed boost to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

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Ederson joined Manchester City from Benfica in 2017 for a reported £35 million fee and has been a fundamental part of the club’s modern success. Over the course of eight seasons, he has played a pivotal role in securing multiple Premier League titles, FA Cups and the Champions League. However, with his contract due to expire next summer, recent noise around a potential exit had gathered traction.

In spite of that, Ederson’s words cut through the speculation.

“My head is here, to stay with City, give everything for us to win back the Premier League, try to win the Champions League as well. My mind is staying in the club.”

This sentiment suggests a player not only aware of his value to the team but also committed to maintaining the elite standards City have set during Guardiola’s tenure. His statement also implies there are internal motivations — a hunger to reclaim lost silverware and finish what he started at the club.

Focus on Retaining Core Players

With City losing the Premier League title to Arsenal last season and their Champions League defence ending earlier than hoped, Guardiola and his staff are focused on retaining their key players. In Ederson, they not only keep a goalkeeper of exceptional distribution and reflexes but also a leader in the dressing room.

Reports in May had indicated that Saudi Arabian sides were prepared to offer significant sums to entice City’s number one away. However, this latest public comment appears to have shut that door firmly. Ederson’s reputation and experience make him one of City’s most irreplaceable assets, particularly in Guardiola’s system where goalkeepers are expected to contribute in possession.

With transfer speculation surrounding other senior figures at the club, including Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, Ederson’s commitment is timely. It sends a clear message that not all top players are chasing the late-career payday in Saudi Arabia. For City, it underlines a continued culture of loyalty, hunger and ambition within the squad.

Ederson’s presence between the sticks has long been a reassuring constant for Guardiola. While injuries did impact his 2023-24 campaign, a fit and focused Ederson heading into the new season will boost City’s prospects significantly. Whether the club opens contract extension talks remains to be seen, but it is clear the player himself still sees his immediate future in Manchester.

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From a Manchester City fan’s perspective, this is exactly the type of statement we wanted to hear heading into the new season. With so much noise around Saudi interest in Europe’s best, it would have been easy for Ederson to weigh up the financial rewards and take a different path. Instead, he’s chosen to speak clearly, directly and with conviction — and that means a lot.

This isn’t just about a goalkeeper staying. It’s about leadership and culture. Ederson has been a symbol of the new Manchester City era. His bravery on the ball, his calm under pressure, and his personality have made him an icon in our modern history. The idea of replacing him with a less experienced option, or one less tailored to Guardiola’s system, would have been unsettling.

Now we can look ahead to the 2024-25 campaign with greater confidence. With Ederson staying and other core players hopefully doing the same, the hunger to reclaim our Premier League crown and push once more in Europe feels very real. We don’t just want titles, we want to win them with players who believe in the project — and Ederson clearly does.