Pep Guardiola is changing his goalkeeping options.placeholder image
Pep Guardiola is changing his goalkeeping options. | Getty Images
Chelsea had been linked with a Paris Saint-Germain star but Manchester City team news backs up claims they are in pole position.
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has been axed from the matchday squad to take on Wolves this afternoon in a decision that suggests an imminent transfer blow for Chelsea.
Pep Guardiola’s side begin their Premier League campaign at Molineux but it will not be the experienced Brazilian who starts in between the sticks. Ederson, who has won six top flight titles, made 26 league appearances last term but struggled with injuries at times.
The first choice spot at Manchester City has long belonged to Ederson but that now appears to be all change. Instead, summer signing James Trafford is thrown into the deep end with his first start for the club having arrived from Burnley for £27 million.
Man City drop Ederson from squad to take on Wolves
The exclusion of Ederson comes amid reports of a £10 million move to Turkish outfit Galatasaray. Should that transfer go through, it’s expected that the Cityzens will then push to bring the in-demand Gianluigi Donnarumma in from Paris Saint-Germain.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano wrote on social media platform X: “Éderson doesn’t play today as Man City are in advanced talks with Galatasaray. Éderson wants the move and Gala sent €10m official bid to Manchester City… asking for higher fee. Negotiations are progressing.”
That comes after an earlier update on Saturday, which read: “Galatasaray send first official bid to Man City for Éderson. Proposal in the region of €10m while City ask for higher fee.
“Gigio Donnarumma has already opened doors to City move, no issues on personal terms. If Éderson leaves, Donnarumma can join #MCFC.”
Chelsea and Man Utd transfer blow
The progress of those two moves comes as a blow to Chelsea. Earlier this week, Metro reported that the Blues continue to be linked with a move for the shot-stopper alongside Manchester United. It was added that the PSG man was ‘very interested’ in a move to Stamford Bridge.
Donnarumma looks destined to leave the French outfit, with a £40 million fee touted by Metro, having been left out of the UEFA Super Cup squad last week. Luis Enrique said: “I am supported by my club and we are trying to find the best solution.
“It is a difficult decision. I only have praise for Donnarumma. He is one of the very best goalkeepers out there and an even better man. But we were looking for a different profile. It’s very difficult to take these types of decisions.”
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has maintained his position that he is happy with the goalkeeping options at his disposal in Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen. However, both those keepers came under criticism last season and were chopped in and out of the side.
In other news, Chelsea 'willing' to pay £51.7m to grant Enzo Maresca transfer wish as price named for forward.
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