Man City ‘eye £63million-rated Ederson replacement’ amid injury-ridden season in which Pep Guardiola’s No 1 has been sidelined FOUR different times

Manchester City are reportedly eyeing a £63million-rated replacement for Ederson after Pep Guardiola‘s No 1 suffered his latest injury blow again last week.

The Brazil international could face weeks on the sidelines after he hobbled out of City’s 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace 15 minutes after his long pass assisted James McAtee’s goal.

Ederson has been plagued by four different injuries this season – mainly groin issues – which have proved severe enough to prevent him from training fully for the majority of the campaign.

The 31-year-old, who weighed up leaving City for the Saudi Pro League last summer, has undergone tests to determine the prognosis.

Now, City have turned their attention to another Portuguese-speaking shot-stopper, as they have stepped up their interest in Porto’s Diogo Costa, according to The Mirror.

Costa has a £63million release clause in his contract, which expires in June 2027.

City reportedly see Costa, 25, as the perfect replacement for the injury-prone Ederson, 31

With his impressive ability on the ball, Costa fits Pep Guardiola’s profile of goalkeeper

However, City’s incoming director of football – Hugo Viana – is believed to have a strong relationship with the 25-year-old’s agent, Jorge Mendes.

Viana is reportedly hopeful that an offer of around £50m could get a deal for Costa over the line.

Costa is renowned as a sweeper-keeper with impressive ability on the ball, perfectly fitting Guardiola’s profile of goalkeeper.

Having joined Porto’s academy at 11 years old, he has made 195 appearances since his senior debut in 2019, as well as winning nine trophies with the Portuguese giants. 

Costa kept his 100th career clean sheet last year after just 161 senior games – an astounding 62 per cent clean sheet ratio at that point.

Meanwhile, Ederson produced his fourth assist of the season last weekend when he set up McAtee against Palace, and now has more assists than any goalkeeper in Premier League history.

He has made 365 appearances for City since joining for £35m from Benfica in 2017.

And Ederson is still committed to City’s cause, as he recently expressed his desire to bring Guardiola’s side back to the top after an uncharacteristically difficult season.

Ederson has suffered four different injuries this season alone, along with recurring groin issues

‘It’s been a very unusual season, especially considering everything we’ve produced in recent years, things that aren’t normal either,’ Ederson told ESPN Brazil.

‘But this season has been very, very difficult. A lot of injuries, individual performances not good. But that’s football, you can’t always give your best.

‘If we were at our best, we’d definitely be fighting for the Premier League title. Our main goal is to qualify for the Champions League because next season the players win, the club wins, everyone wins.

‘More money for the club, more prestige to play this competition. It would be a big blow if we didn’t qualify.’