Man City have price in mind for Ederson as they brace for Saudi Arabia bid to pair him with Cristiano Ronaldo

07/04/2024 08:35 AM

Manchester City are braced for a bid from Saudi Arabia for goalkeeper Ederson, talkSPORT understands.

Cristiano Ronaldo‘s Al Nassr are among the clubs interested in signing the Premier League champions’ no.1.

Ederson is believed to be open to the move with Stefan Ortega lined up to replace him as City’s number one.

talkSPORT reported in May how the 30-year-old was on the radar of Al Nassr as a possible replacement for ex-Arsenal shot-stopper David Ospina.

Al Nassr also had Liverpool’s Alisson on their shortlist, but it appears they now only have eyes on his international teammate.

With two years left to run on his contract at the Etihad, City are in no rush to part ways with the player and are likely to ask for in excess of £30m.

Ederson has been at the club since arriving from Benfica for £35m in 2017 and has made 332 appearances in all competitions – winning 17 major honours.

But Pep Guardiola’s side know Ortega is more than capable of stepping up with the German continuously starring in his absence.

That was evident in City’s penultimate match of the 2023/24 season when Ortega – on a substitute for Ederson following his injury – produced a match-winning save against Tottenham.

With City 1-0 up in the closing stages, they knew a win would keep them above Arsenal in the hunt for the Premier League title.

And Spurs almost snatched a dramatic point when Heung-min Son raced clear on goal, only for Ortega to deny him expertly with his right foot, with the Citizens going on to win 2-0 – and the title.

Should Ederson depart City, he could be the latest City star to swap the Etihad for the Middle East.

If he ends up at Al Nassr, he would be reunited with Aymeric Laporte, who was sold by City last summer in a deal worth £25.6million.

Meanwhile cult hero Riyad Mahrez linked up with Al Nassr’s rivals Al Ahli for £30m.