Manchester City have lost out on several targets to Premier League rivals in recent years, despite dominating English football.
Pep Guardiola even admitted Manchester City wanted to sign Harry Maguire from Leicester back in 2019, but could not afford to match the £85m offered by Manchester United.
The Citizens also wanted to sign Declan Rice, but lost out to Arsenal after the Gunners opted to spend a British record £105m on the England international.
Now – however – the tables have turned in regards to that aforementioned scenario involving Maguire, as Manchester City are now pushing to sign a player Manchester United can’t afford this summer.
Manchester City step up Diogo Costa pursuit
The Mirror are now claiming that Manchester City are ready to make a serious push to sign Diogo Costa from Porto this summer, after Ederson suffered a reoccurrence of his niggling groin problem.
It is said that Manchester City view the Portugal international as the perfect replacement for the Brazil international, given his ability with the ball at his feet.
Costa has a £63m release clause in his contract with Porto, although the Mirror state that Manchester City feel a bid of £50m will be enough to strike a deal, as Hugo Viana boasts a strong relationship with Jorge Mendes, the glovesman’s agent.
Manchester United are described as ‘big admirers’ – but cannot afford to either trigger the £67m release clause, nor match a £50m offer from Manchester City amid serious doubts over both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.
What could happen to Ederson?
Ederson turns 32 in August, and Manchester City are clearly concerned by this groin problem.
The South American could yet stay at the Etihad Stadium and compete with Costa – however – as Bayer Leverkusen want to sign Stefan Ortega as well as James McAtee this summer.
Having said that, Saudi Arabian clubs are monitoring Ederson – who will only have 12 months left on his contract in June – so it feels entirely possible that Manchester City sign two new goalkeepers this summer.
In our view, both Ederson and Ortega are likely to be sold, with Costa becoming the new No.1 under Guardiola, and another goalkeeper of a lesser profile arriving as No.2 to replace the German as deputy.
