Manchester City plotting move to sign €75m-rated Cristiano Ronaldo teammate: Reports
Premier League champions Manchester City are exploring the opportunity to sign Cristiano Ronaldo's international teammate Diogo Costa. The Portuguese goalkeeper is being lined up by Pep Guardiola's side as a replacement for Ederson Moraes.
According to CaughtOffside, Guardiola is a fan of the Porto goalkeeper, who he finds stylistically similar to Ederson. Costa's contract with the Portuguese giants runs till 2027.
Considering his importance to the side and his contract situation, Porto are reportedly demanding close to the record fee for a goalkeeper to part ways with Costa. According to reports, they won't let their prized goalkeeper leave for less than his release clause, which stands at €75 million.
Manchester City reportedly value the 25-year-old around the €45-50 million mark. They are also exploring other options, but Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal teammate is supposed to be at the top of their priority list in case Ederson departs.
Ederson's future at Manchester City is up in the air with links to PSG and Saudi Pro League sides Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad. The 31-year-old Brazilian was on the verge of leaving England this summer but was priced out of a move.
Pep Guardiola admitted that Ederson stayed because the Saudi clubs didn't match City's valuation of the goalkeeper.
Speaking to the press after the 3-2 victory over Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, October 5, Guardiola said [via ESPN]:
"He 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," he added.
Costa is seemingly looking to challenge himself at a higher level, eager to test himself in the Premier League.
Cristiano Ronaldo wants Manchester City's star midfielder at Al-Nassr
Ederson may not be the only player exploring an exit from the Premier League giants. The club's creative midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne, is also in the last year of his contract with Manchester City.
Saudi club Al-Nassr are expected to be at the head of the queue for his signature after their bosses received a glowing endorsement from Cristiano Ronaldo, according to reports in The Sun. The 39-year-old is a big fan of the Belgium captain and wants to team up with him.
The report adds that Ronaldo has asked Al-Nassr to sign the Manchester City talisman at all costs.