There could be much more clarity about Ederson Moraes’ future in a Manchester City shirt after Brazil were recently knocked out of the Copa America by Uruguay on penalties.
On Wednesday, it was claimed that while Ederson was “interested” in a potential move to Al-Nassr, he was still deciding where his future lay.
It was also claimed on Thursday that Al-Nassr were ready to pay weekly wages of £900,000-a-week to sign the Brazilian.
So far, it seemed like Ederson’s transfer to the Saudi Pro League club — who also have former Manchester City teammate Aymeric Laporte on their books seemed like a possibility.
Al-Nassr now consider Alisson over Ederson as their top target
But as per journalist Rudy Galetti’s report for TEAMtalk, the status of the potential transfer has changed.
Firstly, Al-Nassr are believed to consider the £42 million price tag placed by Manchester City to sell Ederson as excessive.
The Saudi Arabian side intend to sign a top goalkeeper without paying too high a fee.
But due to the fact that Pep Guardiola’s men are unwilling to budge and considering Brazil have been eliminated from the Copa America, Al-Nassr have got back in contact with Alisson Becker.
The Liverpool number one has now become Al-Nassr’s prime target over Ederson — so much so that the club is in the “final stages” before sending a formal offer to sign the former Roma goalkeeper.
It has also been claimed that due to Alisson’s involvement at the Copa America and their negotiations with Ederson, the club’s move for a reinforcement in between the sticks were going too slowly.
But now Al-Nassr are ready to accelerate negotiations to sign Brazil’s number one — who has revealed in previous discussions that he intends to stay in Europe. But the report states that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) and Al-Nassr are prepared to enquire if Alisson’s thoughts on a move have either “softened” or changed as a whole.
Manchester City should be rejoicing if they can keep Ederson
From Manchester City’s perspective, they would be hoping that Al-Nassr can strike a deal to sign Alisson or any goalkeeper instead of Ederson.
City’s number 31 is one of their most important players and not many goalkeepers in the world are as well-rounded, experienced and natural fits in Guardiola’s system as he is.
The 30-year-old is one of the best goalkeepers in Europe and last season, he had yet another top-class campaign.
Ederson’s potential departure would lead to the loss of not only a world-class player but also an extremely crucial figurehead in the dressing room.
As a result, Manchester City should be hoping that like Al-Nassr, other suitors for the six-time Premier League winner look elsewhere to sign a goalkeeper.
