Manchester City identify priority transfer target to replace Ederson as number one goalkeeper | OneFootball

Officials at Manchester City have identified their successor to Ederson between the goalposts for the upcoming summer transfer window, according to reports.

The reigning Premier League champions are expected to undergo a significant rebuild of Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad during the upcoming summer market, with the general consensus being that the current crop of players have reached their natural conclusion as a collective.

Performances and results have certainly backed up that feeling this season, with Manchester City crashing out early in the Carabao Cup and UEFA Champions League, while their Premier League title pursuit largely came to a conclusion in November.

While Manchester City will be keen to find form in the top-flight during the final months of the campaign in order to secure a European place for next season, and the FA Cup presents a chance for silverware, some eyes are already on the transfer window.

The attacking midfield roles and defensive areas are likely to come under scrutiny both in terms of arrivals and departures, however one belief is that City could see their first major change in the goalkeeper ranks since the summer of 2017.

That is according to the information of Foot Mercato’s Santi Aouna, who reveals that Manchester City have already identified a priority for a new goalkeeper in FC Porto and Portugal international shot-stopper, Diogo Costa.

It is claimed that the 25-year-old has emerged as the club’s first choice when it comes to the goalkeeper position, and initial contacts have already been made over the player to arrive at the Etihad Stadium in the summer.

Interest in Costa will undoubtedly raise doubts over the future of current number one choice Ederson, who has been the subject of widespread transfer interest in Saudi Arabia in particular over the last 18 months.

In fact, it is widely believed that the Brazil international was open to the idea of a lucrative switch to the Middle-East during the last summer transfer window, but no club managed to meet Manchester City’s valuation on the shot-stopper.

Etihad Stadium officials had stood firm on a price tag in the region of £50 million, while the likes of Al-Nassr are believed to have not exceeded the £30 million mark for a player still so integral to the play style implemented by Pep Guardiola over the last nine seasons.