Ederson reaches verbal agreement over Manchester City exit and eye-watering Saudi Arabia salary package | OneFootball

Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has reportedly struck a verbal agreement with Saudi Arabia football bosses over a salary package in the Middle-East.

The Brazilian international has remained open to the idea of a move to the Saudi Pro League since the end of last season, but has seen his options somewhat limited in recent weeks following a rejected bid and change of heart from one potential suitor.

Al Nassr became the first club to solidify interest in Ederson and lodge a formal bid to Manchester City, with a £25 million proposal swiftly rejected by the Premier League champions as they continue to hold out for at least £50 million.

With Al Ittihad then entering the race after Al Nassr turned attentions elsewhere, City continue to brace themselves for a test of their resolve, while manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that a decision is still to be made by Ederson.

The City boss explained during a recent press conference, “I’d like him to stay but it depends on other clubs. I don’t know the situation. There have been no contacts in the last days. It’s a question of training, being with us until the transfer window finishes and we’ll see.”

Now, according to the information of CaughtOffside, Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad have now begun talks with Manchester City over the signing of the club’s Brazilian mainstay first-choice goalkeeper Ederson.

The report claims that the 30-year-old has been offered an eye-watering salary package of €80 million over a three-year period and, perhaps unsurprisingly, the shot-stopper has reached a verbal agreement on such personal terms.

For now, the latest understanding from the report is that Manchester City are not prioritising a sale for Ederson this summer, but remain open to negotiating with Al-Ittihad and respecting the Brazilian international’s decision should he still wish to leave the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City are not expected to return to the transfer market for a new number one goalkeeper, should Ederson finalise a blockbuster move to the Saudi Pro League in the coming weeks.

Instead, it is widely understood that Stefan Ortega Moreno would receive a promotion into the first-choice role at the Etihad Stadium, with the club looking for a new back-up to continue to push the German in his own game.

Recent reports have pointed towards Burnley’s James Trafford as a potential back-up goalkeeper signing for Manchester City, who have a buy-back clause in the contract of the England international agreed when selling the player to Turf Moor last summer.