Manchester City are set to rival Barcelona and Real Madrid to sign SL Benfica goalkeeper Ederson in the summer transfer window, as per reports.
Portuguese outlet Record have reported that Manchester City have entered the race to sign SL Benfica goalkeeper Ederson. The Premier League heavyweights are now set to battle Barcelona and Real Madrid to acquire the services of the highly rated Brazilian shot stopper.
Ederson Moraes has grown by leaps and bounds since progressing through the ranks at Brazilian club Sao Paulo. Having impressed with Sao Paulo, he made a move to SL Benfica, where he has only developed further, and is now the number one in their first team setup.
This season has been his best by far, with Ederson proving to be a rock in goal for Benfica. His numbers are exemplary: 17 clean sheets in 27 appearances in all competitions and only 18 goals conceded tells you just how good the 23-year-old has been in the current campaign.
And earlier this week, Ederson enjoyed one of his best performances in a Benfica shirt, as he was at his best all through the night to thwart Borussia Dortmund. One of the most defining moments saw Ederson make a a double save before stopping a penalty from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
His efforts in goal for the Portuguese giants have certainly been noticed, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both keeping a tab on the youngster.
While Barcelona do have the reliable Marc-Andre ter Stegen going great guns in goal, with Jasper Cilessen as an able deputy, the Blaugrana are still reported to be in the market for a goalkeeping reinforcement in the summer. The Spanish giants recently sent scouts to watch Ederson as well.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s interest in adding a goalkeeper is well known, with Zidane unimpressed by the inconsistent performances of Keylor Navas and Kiko Casilla. Los Blancos have been linked with David De Gea as well as Thibaut Courtois, and Ederson seems to be another goalkeeper on Zidane’s shortlist.
However, the two La Liga rivals are set to face competition from Manchester City for the signature of Ederson. Joe Hart didn’t fit in Pep Guardiola’s philosophy, and while he will be returning from his loan spell with Torino at the end of the season, he is unlikely to have a future at the Etihad Stadium.
His replacement, Claudio Bravo, meanwhile, has turned in many an underwhelming performance in goal for City, resulting in the Citizens having the second worst defensive record in the Top 8 in Premier League.
Ederson is already showing signs of becoming a future great, and clubs are lining up to sign the highly talented shot stopper. It now remains to be seen if Benfica manage to keep hold of the 23-year-old or if any of the European giants manage to get their hands on the Brazilian.
