Pep Guardiola apparently called Benfica’s Ederson. And Manchester City might finally have a solution to its Claudio Bravo-problem.
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Claudio Bravo‘s been — borrowing a word from Charles Barkley — “turrible” for Manchester City this season. That’s no secret.
Incidentally, it’s a rumored secret phone call from the one and only Pep Guardiola that might clinch Bravo’s long-term successor.
According to Metro, citing a report in Bola, Guardiola reached out to Benfica’s Ederson, telling the 23-year-old he was on top of the list of transfer targets for the Sky Blues. Furthermore, Guardiola reportedly informed the Brazilian that he was a big believer in his talents.
Ah, the “Gabriel Jesus” treatment. Guardiola’s personal touch proved critical in signing Jesus. It might be pivotal for landing Ederson.
Metro goes on to mention that City is in extended negotiations with Ederon’s Portuguese employer Benfica for the goalkeeper’s signature. The tabloid estimates Benfica won’t part with its prized shot-stopper for any less than a fee in the £30 million to £34.6 million range.
Related Story: Manchester City told goalkeeping ace Ederson is not for sale
Given the depth of City’s purse, securing Ederson for that amount should not be a problem.
It’s also better than shoveling out £103 million to £130 million for Italian starlet Gianluigi Donnarumma. However good or even great the AC Milan No. 1 turns out to be, he’s not worth Lionel Messi-kind of money.
Next: Manchester City to levy up to £130.3M for AC Milan keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma?
And if Guardiola and City truly are committed to moving on from Joe Hart and Willy Caballero, Ederson is probably a step in the right direction. According to Transfermarkt, he has 14 clean sheets on 16 appearances in the Portuguese top flight this campaign, boasting a saver percentage of 70 percent.
Sounds like someone City can rely on as the club looks to make a deep runs in Europe and win hardware in England.