Manchester City have apparently earmarked a leading Serie A goalkeeper as an ideal signing should Ederson depart the club in the near future.
The Citizens' goalkeeping situation has been a hot-button topic for the past couple of weeks, as first-choice stopper Ederson could supposedly depart if an appropriate bid comes in.
Saudi Pro League clubs are reportedly showing an interest in the 30-year-old, who is only under contract at the Etihad for another two seasons and may be available for around £40m.
City have supposedly told Ederson that he will have to put in a transfer request if he wants out this summer, but the situation took a twist last week when second-choice Stefan Ortega extended his terms until 2026.
While Ortega has proven his worth to Pep Guardiola as a number two, the Premier League champions are expected to be in the market for a new first-choice if Ederson heads for the exit door in the coming weeks.
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Man City 'targeting Mike Maignan' amid Ederson uncertainty
According to Football Insider, Man City have taken a liking to AC Milan shot-stopper Mike Maignan, who has cemented himself as number one for club and country over the past few years.
The 28-year-old rose to prominence during his time with Lille, who signed him from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2015, as he won the 2020-21 Ligue 1 title with Les Dogues.
Maignan left Lille that same summer to join the Rossoneri in a £13.8m deal as Gianluigi Donnarumma's replacement, and straight after becoming a French top-flight winner, he clinched the Serie A title in his debut Milan campaign.
The ex-PSG youngster has now recorded 44 clean sheets in 110 games for Milan, including 15 shut-outs from 42 matches in the 2023-24 season, and he has also succeeded Hugo Lloris to become France's number one.
After being on the bench throughout Euro 2020 and missing the 2022 World Cup through a calf injury, Maignan will start in between the sticks for Les Bleus at Euro 2024, where Didier Deschamps's side are one of the favourites for the title.
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City chiefs supposedly believe that Maignan possesses the skill set required to make the grade in the Premier League, and he is still under the terms of his first Milan contract, which expires in 2026.
What other goalkeepers could Man City target?
The chances of Ederson jumping ship and joining a Saudi Pro League team this summer are believed to be relatively high, so it should not come as a shock to see Man City go in search of a fresh option in between the sticks.
Prising Maignan away from Milan may be a tall order unless the Rossoneri can also secure a replacement, so City could instead target Ederson's fellow Brazilian Bento, currently representing Athletico Paranaense.
The 25-year-old made his senior international debut in March's 1-0 win over England at Wembley and is in the Brazil squad for the 2024 Copa America, but Man City may face competition from Liverpool to capture Bento.
Lazio's Christos Mandas and Porto's Diogo Costa are alternative options that Guardiola could target, unless Ortega is surprisingly given a run in the first XI next season.
Ben Knapton
