Manchester City to step up transfer move for perfect Ederson replacement (2025)

Manchester City are set to return to Portugal for a replacement for Ederson, eight years after he joined from Benfica, with a move for Porto No.1 Diogo Costa this summer

Manchester City are ready to end things with injury-hit No.1 Ederson - and turn to Portugal for his replacement. City are ready to step up their interest in Porto keeper Diogo Costa this summer.

Costa, 25, is seen as the perfect replacement for the Brazilian, who is suffering from another groin problem - it has plagued him all year - and is facing a fight to play again this season.

Costa, now Portugal's No.1, has a £63million buy-out clause in his contract with Porto - and that still has two seasons left on it. At that price, it may be too rich for City.

But Costa fits Pep Guardiola's profile perfectly, with the same kind of passing range that has made Ederson such a key player at the Etihad. And incoming director of football Hugo Viana has a strong relationship with Costa's agent, Jorge Mendes.

As such, there's a belief in Manchester that a £50million transfer fee could be enough to get a deal agreed. United are also big admirers - but don’t have the finances to trigger the buy-out clause or challenge their rivals in the race for Costa’s signature.

Costa has won two Portuguese titles with Porto after joining the club’s academy as an 11 year-old.

There's no doubt that Ederson has been crucial to Guardiola's triumphs at City. He's won six Premier League titles and three Golden Gloves awards and made a string of outstanding saves as City beat Inter Milan in the Champions League final to clinch the Treble in 2023.

The Brazilian had strong interest from the Saudi Pro League last summer but elected to stay put. He may well get similar interest again this year.

He produced his fourth assist of the season last weekend when his long-range pass set up a goal for James McAtee in the 5-2 win over Crystal Palace. It gives him more assists than any other keeper in Premier League history.

But he later limped off after pulling a groin muscle that may well end his campaign.

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