Manchester City have reportedly made one final Hail Mary play to retain Ederson Moraes amid his links with Saudi Pro League.
According to The Sun, Manchester City are making a last-ditch effort to retain their star goalkeeper Ederson Moraes amidst interest from Saudi Arabia. Al-Nassr are keen on signing the Brazilian keeper with an eye-watering offer of £900,000 per week plus a signing-on fee.
In response, Manchester City plan to meet with Ederson’s representatives next week to present a take-it-or-leave-it pay hike. The champions are prepared to offer Ederson a near-75 per cent salary increase, amounting to around £1 million per month, in hopes of securing his services for the remainder of his peak years.
City’s proposal is designed to demonstrate Ederson’s importance to the club, reflecting their desire for him to commit his future to the Etihad Stadium. The substantial salary bump showcases how crucial he is to their ongoing success. However, with Al-Nassr’s lucrative offer on the table, the decision ultimately rests with Ederson, who has already agreed to terms with the Middle East giants.
City’s Dilemma
Ederson, 30, has less than two years remaining on his current contract, putting City in a precarious position when it comes to negotiations. The pay hike represents their last chance to retain him and command a hefty transfer fee if he decides to leave. Manchester City have set a price tag of at least £50 million should Ederson choose to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.
In a show of confidence in their goalkeeping options, City recently extended the contract of backup keeper Stefan Ortega. Despite this, Ederson’s departure would be a significant blow. Since his move from Benfica seven years ago, Ederson has been instrumental in City’s success, helping them secure 16 trophies. Losing him would be a blow as there are few goalkeepers in world football who have a similar skillset with the ball on their feet and in their hands.
Is Ederson risking his Etihad legacy?
The situation is further complicated by the absence of a concrete offer from Saudi Arabia, leaving Ederson’s future in limbo. If no resolution is reached quickly, the experienced goalkeeper is expected to join City on their upcoming pre-season tour in America. That should more or less settle the transfer saga at least for the time being.
Retaining the Brazilian international should be a priority for Manchester City. His contributions have been pivotal in their domestic and European successes. While Stefan Ortega is a capable backup, Ederson’s skill set and experience are unmatched. The proposed salary increase is a clear indication of Manchester City’s commitment to keeping him.
However, the financial lure from Saudi Arabia is formidable, and it will be interesting to see how this saga unfolds. Having won it all at the Etihad, one cannot blame the Brazilian should he opt to earn one final lucrative payday. For Manchester City, it could just be a case of playing hardball to secure their £50 million asking price for the player.