MX23RW : Sunday, November 17 13:25:07| >> :120:7797:7797:

Man City transfer news: Guardiola makes emotional plea for key figure to stay

Guardiola hopes
© Reuters
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola hopes 'with the bottom of his heart' that goalkeeper Ederson stays at the club this summer.

Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola said he is hoping 'with the bottom of his heart' that Ederson remains with the club during this summer's transfer window.

Ederson's future is currently the subject of much speculation, with the Brazil international believed to be considering leaving European football behind in order to make the move to the Saudi Pro League.

Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad are among the clubs to be linked with the 30-year-old, who is thought to be interested in pursuing a fresh challenge at this stage of his career.

However, Guardiola has made his feelings on the matter clear, revealing that he "would love" for the South American to remain at the Etihad Stadium.

"I wish with the bottom of my heart Eddie will continue with us. I would love him to stay," Guardiola told reporters on Friday.

Manchester City's Ederson and Pep Guardiola pictured on July 24, 2024© Imago

Guardiola hails "important figure" Ederson

"I cannot imagine our processes succeeding these last seasons without him. He is an important figure in the locker room."

Ederson, who has a contract with his current side until June 2026, arrived at Man City from Benfica in 2017, and he has represented the Citizens on 332 occasions in all competitions, including 43 appearances last term.

The Brazilian has won 17 trophies during his time at the Etihad Stadium, including six Premier League trophies, two FA Cups and the Champions League.

A recent report in The Athletic claimed that Ederson had been impacted by the praise directed towards Man City's number two goalkeeper Stefan Ortega at the end of last season.

However, the club's number one took to social media to firmly deny those claims.

Manchester City goalkeeper Stefan Ortega (18) during the FC Series match between Manchester City and Celtic at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, July 23, 2024 [on July 25, 2024]© Imago

Ederson hits out at recent claim regarding Ortega

"I would like to clarify that the note published by The Athletic yesterday, referring to my alleged dissatisfaction with a co-worker, is completely false," he wrote on Instagram.

"The alleged day reported was, without a doubt, one of the most difficult days of my career, when I suffered a fracture that prevented me from playing in the final stretch of the season and, consequently, from representing my country in the Copa America.

"'At the time of the injury, my only thought was to continue in the match, defending City in the fight for the title we had won, but the emotion of the match would be greater than the reality and, inevitably, I would not be able to continue as I would have liked due to the damage it caused, completely blocking my field of vision. I remain focused on preparing for the season."

Ortega started Man City's opening pre-season friendly against Celtic last week, before Ederson was introduced at the interval of what proved to be a 4-3 defeat for the English champions.

ID:549125:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect4533:

Click here for more stories about Pep Guardiola

Click here for more stories about Manchester City

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson warming up before the match on July 23, 2024
Read Next:
Ederson hits out at 'completely false' claims amid exit talk
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Packers
@
Bears
6pm
Raiders
@
Dolphins
6pm
Colts
@
Jets
6pm
Jags
@
Lions
6pm
Rams
@
Patriots
6pm
Browns
@
Saints
6pm
Ravens
@
Steelers
6pm
Vikings
@
Titans
9.05pm
Seahawks
@
49ers
9.05pm
Falcons
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Bills
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool119112161528
2Manchester CityMan City117222213923
3Chelsea115422113819
4Arsenal115421812619
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest115421510519
6Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton115421915419
7Fulham115331613318
8Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
9Aston Villa115331717018
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1151523131016
11Brentford115152222016
12Bournemouth114341515015
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Leicester CityLeicester112451421-710
16Everton112451017-710
17Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
18Crystal Palace11146815-77
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves111371627-116
20Southampton11119721-144


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!