It was a bittersweet weekend for Manchester City and their legendary manager, Pep Guardiola.
On one hand, City produced a dominant 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, securing a place in yet another FA Cup final. The goals came early, the control was total, and Wembley once again echoed with the chants of City’s devoted fans.
On the other hand, there was heartbreak in the Premier League. As City celebrated at Wembley, news trickled through that Liverpool had officially dethroned them, snatching away the Premier League crown. It was a blow Guardiola had hoped to avoid. He had warned his players, he had pushed them to their limits, but in the end, it was not enough. Liverpool had climbed back to the top of England’s footballing mountain.
For a manager like Pep Guardiola, standing still is not an option. Defeat, even one as slim as losing a title race, demands action. And action is exactly what is coming.
The Big Summer Shakeup Begins
Reports now confirm that Pep Guardiola has given the green light for Manchester City’s first major move of the summer. He has said “yes” to the signing of Diogo Costa — FC Porto’s brilliant 25-year-old goalkeeper, a man many believe is ready to become one of the best in the world.
Costa has been on City’s radar for some time, but until now, there were questions about whether Pep would fully commit. After all, Ederson had been a key figure during City’s era of dominance, winning title after title, making crucial saves in some of the club’s biggest moments.
Ederson, currently injured, seems set to leave Manchester City this summer, with Al-Ittihad from Saudi Arabia pushing hard to sign him. Guardiola, ever the forward thinker, has decided not to wait for the inevitable. He has chosen to act now.
And so, talks with Diogo Costa have intensified. City’s goalkeeping coach, Xabier Mancisidor, has been deeply involved, holding private meetings to explain the vision: Costa will be Manchester City’s undisputed number one.
Pep Guardiola’s message has been clear — “We want you. We need you. And we will trust you.”
Jorge Mendes and Hugo Viana Step Into Action
It’s no surprise that when big players are involved, big agents are too.
Jorge Mendes, one of the most powerful agents in football, is handling Costa’s future. Negotiations between Mendes, City’s hierarchy, and FC Porto have been swift but complicated.
Hugo Viana, Porto’s sporting director and a key figure in this saga, has also been heavily involved. Constant calls, endless emails, late-night meetings — all to discuss the price and the player’s willingness to move.
Manchester City are determined to strike a deal for less than Costa’s €75 million (£63.8 million) release clause. They are targeting a fee closer to €60 million (£51 million). But Porto, fiercely proud of their star goalkeeper, are playing hardball.
They see Costa as “irreplaceable.” And they are not wrong. In Portugal, Costa is a hero. His performances for club and country have been breathtaking, filled with incredible reflex saves, coolness under pressure, and leadership beyond his years.
Costa’s Decision: Manchester or Nowhere
The good news for City fans?
Sources close to the negotiations say that Diogo Costa has already decided: he wants to join Manchester City.
He dreams of playing under Pep Guardiola. He dreams of lifting Premier League trophies. He dreams of hearing the Champions League anthem at the Etihad Stadium.
It’s no longer a question of “if” — it’s a question of “when.”
Even Hugo Viana, who desperately tried to convince Costa to stay one more year at Porto, is said to have accepted the reality. Costa’s heart is set on Manchester.
And Pep Guardiola?
He is more convinced than ever that Costa is the perfect man to usher in a new era at City.
Ederson’s Time Comes to an End
While one chapter begins, another closes.
Ederson, a club legend, will likely leave after seven brilliant years at the Etihad. His bravery, passing range, and countless saves made him a cornerstone of Guardiola’s footballing revolution in England.
But Guardiola is not sentimental when it comes to building winning teams. He knows that football moves fast — and that to stay at the top, hard decisions must be made.
Sources say Pep has been quietly frustrated by Ederson’s increasing injury problems. In a season where every point mattered, Ederson’s absence hurt City badly.
Now, with Saudi Arabian money pouring into Al-Ittihad, Ederson looks set for a new adventure — and City will cash in while they can.
Guardiola’s Grand Plan: A New Look Manchester City
The signing of Diogo Costa would be just the first step.
There are whispers from within the club that this summer will be Guardiola’s biggest rebuild since his arrival in 2016. Key players could leave. New faces could arrive. Youth will be promoted.
Omar Marmoush and Nico O’Reilly are being spoken about as potential stars of the future. Mateo Kovacic, after a masterclass against Nottingham Forest, looks set for a bigger role next season. Bernardo Silva, so often linked with a move away, might stay after all.
The old guard is slowly making way for the new.
Inside the Diogo Costa Deal: Details, Tensions, and Triumph
Closing a deal of this magnitude is never simple. Porto’s tough stance means City must be careful. They cannot be seen as disrespectful.
Talks have focused not just on the fee, but on payment structures, bonuses, and potential resale clauses. Jorge Mendes, experienced in these battles, has been crucial in keeping both sides at the table.
Behind the scenes, there has been tension. Porto’s president has been furious at the idea of losing Costa without a full payment of the release clause. Manchester City, meanwhile, believe that Costa deserves the move he craves — and that Porto should be realistic.
But slowly, surely, a deal is being pieced together.
Sources expect an announcement before the end of June — possibly even earlier if City move aggressively after the FA Cup final.
Why Costa Fits Guardiola’s Vision Perfectly
For Guardiola, it’s not just about Costa’s shot-stopping. It’s about his mind.
Costa’s intelligence, his ability to play with his feet, his composure under pressure — these are the qualities Guardiola demands from a modern goalkeeper.
He wants Costa to do what Ederson once did: start attacks, break opposition presses, and give City an extra man in possession.
City’s style of play relies heavily on the goalkeeper. In Costa, Guardiola sees the next great piece of the puzzle.
And Costa is hungry. Hungry for trophies. Hungry for challenges. Hungry to prove himself at the very highest level.
The Bigger Picture: Manchester City’s New Dream
If Diogo Costa arrives, he will not be the last.
City are already lining up midfield reinforcements. Rumors suggest they want another deep-lying playmaker and a young box-to-box midfielder.
With Kevin De Bruyne aging and injuries piling up, City know the future must be planned now. The idea is clear: by combining world-class talent like Costa with emerging stars like Nico O’Reilly, City can build a squad capable of dominating England and Europe for another decade.
Pep Guardiola may not stay forever. But he wants to leave a dynasty behind — a team so strong that even after he leaves, Manchester City will continue to rule.
The Message to Rivals: Manchester City Are Not Finished
Liverpool may have won the league. Arsenal may believe they are closing the gap. Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham — they all dream of knocking City off their throne permanently.
But City’s message is clear.
They are not going anywhere. They are rebuilding. They are hungry. They are coming back.
Diogo Costa is the first sign. He is the first weapon forged in Guardiola’s new battle plan.
And by the time next season rolls around, Manchester City will not be the wounded giants some hope for — they will be a machine, rebuilt and ready to conquer again.
