‘Man City to accelerate Diogo Costa deal after Ederson offer accepted’
Man City have set their sights on a deal to sign Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa amid speculation about the future of Ederson this summer.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 25-year-old is at the top of Pep Guardiola’s list of targets.
Ederson, meanwhile, has just one year remaining on his contract at the Etihad and has been strongly linked with a money-spinning move to the Saudi Pro league.
This comes after former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that Man City will sign a top-class goalkeeper should the Brazilian depart this summer.
There remains a possibility that Ederson could remain at City beyond the transfer window and could instead leave on a free transfer next summer, delaying the club’s plans.
However, Brown told Football Insider in December that City will listen to “big” offers for Ederson as part of a major overhaul of their squad.
Man City eye Ederson replacement after Saudi Pro League latest
Brown told Football Insider in May that Man City are considering signing Costa with the money raised from selling Ederson should his exit take place.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that scouts have identified the Portugal international as the perfect fit for Guardiola’s side.
“Man City have got this situation with their goalkeeper,” he told Football Insider.
“There’s been constant talk about whether he’s going or whether he’s staying, whether they want to keep him or whether they might let him go.
“Personally, I think he’s still a top goalkeeper, but they feel he might be replaceable.
“They’ve been having a look at the Portugal goalkeeper, Costa.
“From what I hear, he’s the one they want because they’ve had scouts watching him and they feel he would be a perfect fit for the way they want to play.
“Ederson is still a top goalkeeper, and he’s better than anybody with the ball at his feet.
“But if they think he’s not quite at his best in terms of stopping the ball going in the net, they’re going to bring in somebody who does that better.
“It won’t happen unless the goalkeeper leaves, but it wouldn’t surprise me.
“If somebody comes in with a big offer for him, I expect they’ll make a move for Costa.”
Guardiola makes Bernardo Silva decision after Real Madrid twist
Another long-serving player who has been linked with a move away from the Etihad this summer is Bernardo Silva, amid reported interest from Real Madrid.
Football Insider revealed on 18 July that Man City have no intentions of selling Silva after Guardiola made him the captain following Kyle Walker’s departure.
The boss has thrown his support behind Silva, despite the midfielder having just one year remaining on his contract, and values him as a key part of his squad.
However, Football Insider revealed Man City could lose Silva for free next summer as his agent is working to land him a move to the likes of Real Madrid.
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