In recent reports, Pep Guardiola has shown a particular interest in Andriy Lunin, the Ukrainian goalkeeper who is currently playing for Real Madrid as a backup to Thibaut Courtois. According to sources, Manchester City is preparing to make a €30 million offer for Lunin in the upcoming summer transfer window. This is part of the broader plans for Manchester City to refresh their squad and possibly overhaul their goalkeeping options. As Guardiola looks toward next season, the goalkeeper position has emerged as a crucial area of focus for the club. The 2025 season has seen challenges for Manchester City, and it is expected that significant changes will be made, especially when it comes to the team’s performance between the sticks.
In the past few years, Manchester City has built one of the most formidable teams in world football under Guardiola’s leadership. However, the club has faced several challenges this season that could affect the plans for the upcoming transfer window. One of the primary concerns for the club has been the goalkeeping department. The goalkeeper is one of the most vital positions on any football team, and Manchester City has had stability in this role for several years with Ederson Moraes as their number one. The Brazilian shot-stopper has been a key figure in the team’s success, contributing significantly to their Premier League and Champions League victories. However, there have been growing rumors that Ederson could be on his way out of the club, and this has led Manchester City to start planning for potential replacements.
The news of Ederson’s possible departure has prompted Pep Guardiola to explore various options in the transfer market. It is believed that several top clubs are showing interest in signing the Brazilian goalkeeper. Ederson has been a regular starter for Manchester City for many years, but a move away from the club could become a reality in the near future. Unlike the previous summer, when there were few rumors about Ederson leaving, the current season has created more uncertainty about his future at the Etihad Stadium. As a result, Guardiola has begun evaluating other options for the goalkeeper position.
Stefan Ortega, another goalkeeper at Manchester City, has also been the subject of speculation in recent months. Ortega was brought in as a backup to Ederson, but he has not been able to establish himself as a regular first-team player. There are now doubts about Ortega’s long-term future at the club. Guardiola is reportedly considering Ortega as a potential first-choice goalkeeper if Ederson were to leave. However, there are also concerns about whether Ortega is the right fit for such a role. Given these uncertainties, Guardiola is considering all possibilities and is reportedly preparing for a significant shake-up in the goalkeeper department.
Andriy Lunin, who has spent the majority of his time at Real Madrid as a backup goalkeeper, is one of the names reportedly being considered by Manchester City. Lunin, who is 26 years old, has not had much opportunity to play for Real Madrid due to the presence of Thibaut Courtois, one of the top goalkeepers in the world. Despite this, Lunin is regarded as a talented shot-stopper, and his performances when called upon by Real Madrid have garnered attention from several top clubs, including Manchester City.
Lunin signed a new contract with Real Madrid earlier in the current season, which suggests that the club is keen to keep him around for the foreseeable future. However, the reality of being a backup goalkeeper at one of the biggest clubs in the world can be frustrating for any player, especially someone as young as Lunin. At 26, Lunin is entering the prime of his career and may be looking for more opportunities to play regularly. A move to Manchester City could present him with a chance to compete for a starting role, particularly if both Ederson and Ortega were to leave the club.
Real Madrid, despite being open to keeping Lunin, could be tempted to sell him if the right offer comes in. Manchester City’s reported €30 million bid is seen as a serious proposal that could tempt the Spanish giants to part with the goalkeeper. Lunin’s potential move to Manchester City would be a significant step in his career, and it would give him the opportunity to work with Pep Guardiola, one of the best managers in the world. Guardiola has a history of developing goalkeepers, and a move to Manchester City could be an ideal opportunity for Lunin to further his career.
However, the move for Lunin is not without its complications. Although Guardiola has shown interest in the goalkeeper, it is unlikely that Lunin would immediately become the first-choice goalkeeper at Manchester City. The club is also reportedly eyeing other options, including Diogo Costa from FC Porto. Costa, who is regarded as one of the top young goalkeepers in Europe, is believed to be one of Guardiola’s top targets for the position. Costa has impressed in Portugal’s Primeira Liga with his excellent shot-stopping ability and composure on the ball, which fits Guardiola’s philosophy of playing out from the back. Costa’s potential move to Manchester City could provide the club with a long-term solution at goalkeeper.
In addition to Costa, Manchester City is also reportedly interested in Joan Garcia, a promising goalkeeper who currently plays for Spanish club Girona. Garcia is another highly-rated young goalkeeper, and his performances in La Liga have drawn attention from several top clubs, including Arsenal and Barcelona. Manchester City’s interest in Garcia further highlights Guardiola’s desire to overhaul the goalkeeper position at the club. However, Garcia’s situation is complicated by the fact that other clubs, particularly Arsenal and Barcelona, are also reportedly keen on signing him. This could create a bidding war for his services, which might make it difficult for Manchester City to secure his signature.
Despite the competition for players like Lunin, Costa, and Garcia, Guardiola is keen to reshape Manchester City’s goalkeeping department. The current situation is fluid, and there is a significant possibility that both Ederson and Ortega could leave the club in the near future. If this happens, Guardiola would be left with the task of bringing in two new goalkeepers to compete for the starting role. Lunin could be one of the candidates to fill one of those spots, but it is likely that Manchester City will pursue other options as well.
One of the key factors that will influence Guardiola’s decision on whether to move for Lunin or another goalkeeper is the financial situation at the club. Manchester City has always been one of the wealthiest clubs in the world, and they have the financial resources to make a significant investment in a new goalkeeper. However, the club also needs to consider the long-term implications of such a move.
The €30 million fee for Lunin might seem reasonable, but it is also important to consider whether he would be the right fit for Manchester City in the long run. Guardiola has always placed a strong emphasis on building a team that plays a possession-based style of football, and any goalkeeper coming into the club would need to be comfortable with playing out from the back and distributing the ball effectively. Lunin has shown that he has the necessary skills to play in this system, but it remains to be seen whether Guardiola believes he is the right player to take the team forward.
Additionally, the arrival of a new goalkeeper would also mean that the club would need to make decisions about the futures of Ederson and Ortega. If Ederson were to leave, it would represent a significant change for Manchester City, as he has been an integral part of their success over the past few years. Ederson’s ability to play with his feet and contribute to the team’s attacking play has made him a unique and valuable asset for Guardiola. Replacing Ederson would not be an easy task, and it would require a goalkeeper who is comfortable with playing in Guardiola’s system and capable of stepping into the role of the team’s number one.
In conclusion, Pep Guardiola’s interest in Andriy Lunin highlights the importance of the goalkeeper position for Manchester City as they plan for the upcoming season. With Ederson and Ortega’s futures uncertain, Guardiola is exploring various options in the transfer market, including Lunin, Costa, and Garcia. While it is unlikely that Lunin would immediately replace Ederson as the first-choice goalkeeper, he could provide competition for the spot or serve as a valuable backup option. Guardiola’s plans for the goalkeeper position are still evolving, and it will be interesting to see how the situation unfolds in the coming months. The club’s future in goal could depend on how they handle the potential departures of Ederson and Ortega, and the decision to bring in a new goalkeeper could be a key factor in the team’s success next season.
