Manchester City stands at a critical crossroads this summer as Pep Guardiola prepares for what could be the most significant squad overhaul since his arrival at the club in 2016. Following a challenging 2024/25 campaign that fell short of the sky-high standards set during their historic trophy-laden years, the Catalan manager has reportedly identified the need for substantial changes to reinvigorate his squad.
Sources close to the club have revealed to us that Guardiola is targeting “at least four or five” new signings in the upcoming transfer window, with particular focus on refreshing an aging midfield that has shown signs of decline in recent months. However, the most surprising development may be the increasingly likely departure of one of the club’s most transformative players of the modern era.
Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson, who arrived from Benfica for £35 million in 2017, now appears set to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer according to multiple reliable sources. The shot-stopper’s potential exit would represent the end of an era for City, with his revolutionary ball-playing abilities having redefined the role of the modern goalkeeper under Guardiola’s tutelage
According to The Athletic’s respected Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee, there is a “strong chance that Ederson will follow De Bruyne out of City this summer.” This development compounds what is shaping up to be a summer of significant change for the Premier League giants, with midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne already confirmed to be departing after nine illustrious years at the club.
The report states: “There is some doubt about the future of several players, including John Stones and Jack Grealish, but there is a strong chance that Ederson will follow De Bruyne out of City this summer.”
For many City supporters, this news will not come as a complete shock. Rumors had circulated last summer linking Ederson with a lucrative move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, though ultimately the Saudi club failed to meet City’s reported £50 million valuation. However, with the Brazilian’s contract entering its final two years and City’s need to balance their books while funding an ambitious summer rebuild, the club’s stance appears to have softened.
Industry insiders now suggest that Al-Ittihad, another Saudi Pro League outfit, are positioning themselves as frontrunners for Ederson’s signature, with negotiations expected to accelerate in the coming weeks should they present an acceptable offer.
Any assessment of Ederson’s impact at Manchester City must acknowledge how fundamentally he changed the club’s playing style. When Guardiola arrived in Manchester, his first season was hampered by the limitations of then-goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, whose technical difficulties undermined the manager’s vision for building play from the back.
The acquisition of Ederson the following summer proved transformative. The Brazilian’s extraordinary distribution, composure under pressure, and pinpoint long-range passing enabled City to implement Guardiola’s philosophy to its fullest extent. More than just a shot-stopper, Ederson functioned as an additional outfield player, often positioned near the halfway line when City were in possession, allowing them to maintain numerical superiority across the pitch.
During his eight seasons at the club, Ederson has amassed an extraordinary collection of silverware, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, and the UEFA Champions League. His individual accolades include three Premier League Golden Glove awards, recognizing his consistent excellence between the posts.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, speaking on a recent podcast, described Ederson as “the perfect goalkeeper for the modern game” and suggested that “his influence on how the position is now played cannot be overstated.” City legend Vincent Kompany, now establishing himself as an impressive manager in his own right, once remarked: “Eddie doesn’t just make saves—he starts attacks. He changed everything about how we could play under Pep.
Finding an adequate replacement for such a uniquely gifted player represents perhaps the most significant challenge facing Manchester City’s recruitment team this summer. While Guardiola’s primary focus appears to be strengthening his midfield options—with Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz and AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders reportedly high on his wishlist—the goalkeeper position cannot be neglected.
According to multiple sources, Porto’s Diogo Costa has emerged as City’s preferred target to fill the considerable void that would be left by Ederson’s departure. The Portuguese international goalkeeper, who has impressed with his shot-stopping ability and comfort with the ball at his feet, is understood to have already indicated his willingness to move to the Etihad should the opportunity arise.
Reports from Portugal suggest that Costa’s agent, the influential Jorge Mendes, has been working behind the scenes to facilitate a deal, with City hoping to negotiate a fee of around £34 million (€40 million)—significantly below the player’s release clause. While this figure would represent a substantial investment, it actually falls below the amount City paid for Ederson eight years ago, highlighting the club’s commitment to finding the right profile rather than simply the most expensive option.
This approach aligns with the philosophy of Manchester City’s new sporting director, Hugo Viana, who was appointed earlier this year following Txiki Begiristain’s departure. Viana, who built his reputation through astute recruitment at Sporting Lisbon, is particularly familiar with the Portuguese market and is believed to have been monitoring Costa’s progress closely for several years.
While Costa appears to be the frontrunner, City’s recruitment team is understood to have compiled a comprehensive shortlist of alternatives, including AC Milan’s Mike Maignan and Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili, should negotiations for their primary target hit complications
While Ederson’s potential departure represents the most notable headline, Guardiola’s broader summer plans revolve primarily around rejuvenating City’s midfield. The impending exit of Kevin De Bruyne—who has accepted a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League after 360 appearances and 99 goals for the club—leaves an enormous creative void that the manager is determined to fill.
Florian Wirtz has emerged as Guardiola’s dream target following his sensational performances for Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen side that made history by completing an unbeaten domestic season. The 22-year-old German international recorded 18 goals and 20 assists across all competitions, demonstrating the combination of creativity, finishing, and tactical intelligence that has made him one of Europe’s most coveted young talents.
Competition for Wirtz’s signature will be fierce, with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich also expressing strong interest. However, City’s financial resources and the allure of working under Guardiola—who has personally reached out to the player—give them genuine hope of completing what would likely be a club-record transfer.
Should their pursuit of Wirtz prove unsuccessful, AC Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders represents a more attainable alternative. The Dutch midfielder has impressed during his debut season in Serie A with his progressive passing and ability to operate in multiple midfield roles. With Ilkay Gundogan—who returned to City last summer after a brief spell at Barcelona—also expected to depart, Reijnders’ versatility would provide valuable depth to Guardiola’s squad.
The departures of De Bruyne and potentially Ederson mark the beginning of the end for the core group that has dominated English football for much of the past decade. Both players embody the stylistic revolution Guardiola has overseen at City, combining technical excellence with tactical intelligence to implement the manager’s demanding philosophy.
Their exit raises broader questions about the direction of the club moving forward, particularly with uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s own long-term future. The Catalan’s current contract expires in the summer of 2026, and while club executives remain hopeful of extending his tenure, there is growing speculation that next season could be his last in Manchester
This context adds extra significance to the upcoming transfer window, with City potentially preparing not just for the post-De Bruyne and post-Ederson era, but for an eventual transition beyond Guardiola himself. The profile of players recruited this summer may offer clues as to whether the club intends to maintain absolute fidelity to their current playing style or begin a more gradual evolution toward something different.
Football finance expert Stefan Reynolds notes: “City have managed their finances exceptionally well, but they’re entering a period where several key players are aging simultaneously. Replacing world-class talent is expensive, especially when everyone knows you need to buy. The next 12 months will reveal a lot about their long-term strategy.”
The Athletic’s report also mentioned uncertainty surrounding the futures of defender John Stones and attacker Jack Grealish, suggesting that City’s summer clearout could extend beyond just De Bruyne and Ederson.
Stones, despite remaining a technically gifted defender, has struggled with injury problems throughout the 2024/25 campaign, limiting him to just 19 appearances across all competitions. At 30 years old, and with City potentially looking to refresh their defensive options, there is speculation that the club might consider suitable offers for the England international.
Grealish presents a more complex situation. Since his British-record £100 million transfer from Aston Villa in 2021, the winger has produced fleeting moments of brilliance without ever fully establishing himself as an indispensable starter. His playing time diminished further this season following the emergence of academy graduate James McAtee, who has seized his opportunity with a series of impressive performances.
With Grealish now 29 and unlikely to displace the younger McAtee or the consistently brilliant Phil Foden from City’s preferred lineup, a summer departure cannot be ruled out—though finding a club willing to pay a fee that wouldn’t represent a significant financial loss for City could prove challenging.
As Manchester City prepares for one of their most pivotal summers in recent memory, the potential departure of Ederson symbolizes both the end of a transformative era and the beginning of an intriguing new chapter. The Brazilian’s revolutionary approach to goalkeeping helped enable Guardiola’s vision, fundamentally changing how the position is played at the highest level.
Finding an adequate replacement will be crucial to maintaining the stylistic principles that have underpinned City’s success. In Diogo Costa, they appear to have identified a goalkeeper with the technical profile to step into Ederson’s considerable shoes, though whether he can match the Brazilian’s extraordinary impact remains to be seen.
More broadly, this summer’s transfer activity will reveal much about Guardiola’s vision for the final phase of his Manchester City project. With the manager’s own future uncertain beyond next season, the caliber and profile of players recruited in the coming months may offer clues as to whether he intends to build one final dynasty or construct a foundation for his eventual successor.
What seems certain is that the Manchester City team that takes the field for the 2025/26 Premier League season will look markedly different from the one that has dominated English football for much of the past decade. Whether that represents the beginning of a decline or merely the next evolution of Guardiola’s revolutionary project will be one of the most fascinating storylines of the upcoming campaign.
