Saudi Pro League giants Al-Nassr have reportedly decided whether to continue their pursuit of Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson after failing with an initial bid.
Despite the Brazilian being Pep Guardiola's undisputed number one for several years now, a lucrative switch to Saudi Arabia has been strongly mooted before the 2024-25 campaign begins.
Al-Nassr, who currently employ Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane among others, are said to have made a first offer worth €30m (£25.2m) for Ederson, whose Man City deal expires in two years' time.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, the Saudi giants' bid was immediately rebuffed, and they have been told to double their offer or forget about bringing Ederson to the Middle East.
After being quoted €60m (£50.5m) to sign the former Benfica man, Al-Nassr have supposedly ended their interest in the Brazil international and have already snapped up one of his compatriots instead.
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Al-Nassr move for Bento after Ederson rejection
Rather than going back in for Ederson, Al-Nassr have confirmed the capture of Bento from Athletico Paranaense, paying just €18m (£15.1m) to bring him to Saudi Arabia.
Bento has signed a four-year contract with the Middle Eastern powerhouses until the summer of 2028, and his move to the Saudi Pro League could have ramifications for Man City's rivals Liverpool.
The Reds were believed to have been looking at the South American as a potential summer target, as Adrian has left on a free transfer, while there are also concerns over Caoimhin Kelleher's future.
The Republic of Ireland international has spent a few seasons playing second fiddle to Alisson Becker, who was also linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League but will be staying put this summer.
Kelleher impressed during his stint in between the sticks last season, when Alisson was out through injury, but the latter will no doubt be Arne Slot's number one for the 2024-25 campaign.
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As a result, Kelleher is expected to push for a move away in the coming weeks, and if Liverpool's steep asking price - thought to be £20m to £25m - is met, they will not stand in his way.
However, Man City rejecting Al-Nassr's Ederson bid and the Saudi side subsequently moving for Bento has harmed their Kelleher succession plan further, having already lost out to Juventus for ex-Monza man Michele Di Gregorio.
What other goalkeepers can Liverpool target?
Now that Bento has been announced as an Al-Nassr player, Liverpool can look further down their list of goalkeeper candidates, where Feyenoord shot-stopper Justin Bijlow is believed to feature.
Slot knows the Dutchman well from their time in Rotterdam together, and he is thought to have a price tag of just £10m on his head, but the Reds will need to fend off competition from Arsenal for his signature.
Sunderland's Anthony Patterson is also thought to have admirers at Anfield, or alternatively, Under-21s shot-stopper Vitezslav Jaros might be deemed ready for the step-up to first-team football.
Ben Knapton
![Liverpool manager Arne Slot pictured in May 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/11/29/1x1.gif?w=1&h=1 "Liverpool manager Arne Slot pictured in May 2024 [IMAGO]")
