Manchester City, spring 2025. Between the city posts, uncertainty reigns. Ederson, formerly an impenetrable wall, continues injuries and doubts. Stefan Ortega, his replacement, nibbled from the field. In the shadows, Pep Guardiola ruminates. The Catalan technician, known for his absolute requirement, would have “Lost patience” According to The Mirror. A brutal observation for the 31 -year -old Brazilian, whose fall questions. But in Manchester, we don't cry the fallen heroes … We replace them.
The solution is called Diogo Costa. FC Porto goalkeeper, 24, is the absolute priority of City to succeed Ederson. Renowned for its electric reflexes and its mastery of the game at the foot – key quality to integrate into the Guardiola system -, Portuguese embodies the future. An expensive future: its release clause amounts to 74 million euros. But the Skyblues intend to negotiate, hoping to debauchery it for 59 million euros.
The days of Ederson in City are counted.
If City is reluctant to pay the entire clause, the club is betting on a lever effect. Costa, under contract until 2027, never hid her ambition to shine in a European top 5. Mancunian leaders know that Porto, in chronic financial difficulty, could bend under a lower but immediate offer. A risky, but realistic calculation.
Ederson – Ortega, a suspended duo
Ederson's relegation on the bench is no longer a taboo. Despite the record for first league decisive assists this season, his repeated absences (4 injuries since August) convinced Guardiola to turn the page. Stefan Ortega, solid but limited, would remain number 2. A scenario that places Costa in a strength position … if he assumes the weight of the jersey.
Recruiting a goalkeeper at 59M € is not a choice, it is a necessity. Guardiola, obsessed with control, demands a final bulwark capable of “playing in Libero”. Costa, trained at the Portuguese school – technician and offensive – corresponds to the profile. But at this price, the margins of error are zero.
