Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola says that Ederson stayed at the club because no club met their asking price for the goalkeeper.
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Ederson linked with Saudi transferGuardiola desperate to keep him Stayed as nobody met his asking price Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Brazilian was linked with Saudi Pro League teams Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad over the summer, but ended up staying put, with Guardiola making a heartfelt plea for him to remain at the Etihad. Now that the 31-year-old is staying with City, for another few months at the very least, his manager has revealed the "truth" on why he didn't move on.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID
He said, via ESPN: "He [Ederson] knew from day one I didn't want it, we didn't want it but the truth, I'm going to tell the truth, the offer didn't come. The real offer, because they make an offer, but to be for the keeper, for the team who won four Premier Leagues in a row, they have a value, you know, have a price. Otherwise, he cannot leave. This is the truth."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Ederson was reportedly miffed with Guardiola's praise for second-choice City stopper Stefan Ortega during his injury absence – and that led to links away from the defending Premier League champions. However, he is first choice at the club, where he has made 341 appearances and won more than a dozen trophies during his seven-year stint. While he may be sold in the transfer windows to come, Guardiola clearly still wants to keep the ex-Benfica man for the time being.
AFPWHAT NEXT?
After the international break, Ederson and Guardiola will link up again as their City side prepare to face lowly Wolves at Molineux on October 20 as the Premier League returns.