Turkish giants Galatasaray are making significant moves in the summer transfer window, with reports indicating they are on the verge of securing star striker Victor Osimhen while simultaneously pushing to bring Manchester City’s highly-rated goalkeeper Ederson to Istanbul.
As negotiations intensify for both players, a surprising statement to Fanatik.com.tr from Sam Lee, The Athletic’s Manchester City correspondent, shed light on the potential Ederson transfer, revealing insights into City’s stance and the goalkeeper’s own desires.
READ: Galatasaray Considers Chelsea Striker as Osimhen Alternative in Ambitious Transfer Strategy
Galatasaray has reportedly initiated discussions with Manchester City for Ederson, aiming to bolster their squad with the Brazilian international. However, securing his signature may come at a significant cost.
“Manchester City would have been very pleased if Ederson had stayed with the team,” Lee stated. “But he wanted to leave last summer. If any player wants to leave City, the club’s stance is, ‘Okay, but you need to bring a substantial offer.'”
Lee revealed that City sought €50 million for Ederson last summer, a price even Saudi clubs were unwilling to meet, leading to his stay. While recent reports have suggested lower figures, Lee believes City will demand a considerable fee. “I’ve seen some low numbers, but I don’t think City will sell him at that price,” he remarked. “I believe they will want €25-30 million.”
Ederson’s Desire for a New Challenge
When asked about Ederson’s desire to depart, Lee explained, “He wanted to leave last summer too. I think it’s because Galatasaray is a very attractive club; Ederson wants to go there.” This indicates a strong personal preference from the player to join the Turkish champions.
Regarding Ederson’s recent form, Lee acknowledged a dip in performance. “Last season’s performance was sometimes good, sometimes bad,” he commented. “But to be honest, almost everyone in the team had a sub-par season. Twenty-three of the twenty-five players were not at their best. The fans were particularly displeased with him after the Al Hilal match.”
Ederson’s renowned distribution skills, often hailed as superior to his shot-stopping, were not an issue for Manchester City due to their playing style. “The fact that Ederson’s footwork and passing are much better than his saving wasn’t a problem at Manchester City, as it perfectly suited City’s system,” Lee explained. “However, fans were a little disappointed as he wasn’t at his peak level last season.”
Fit for Galatasaray: A Tactical Consideration
Despite the recent dip, Lee expressed confidence in Ederson’s potential success at Galatasaray, with a caveat regarding the team’s tactical approach. “I think he will be successful at Galatasaray because I genuinely believe he is very good,” Lee said. “He’s still good enough to play for City, and if you’re good enough for City, you’re good enough for any team.”
However, Lee emphasized that Ederson’s effectiveness hinges on Galatasaray’s playing philosophy. “I think it depends on Galatasaray’s style of play, because if you want someone who will make many saves, excel in one-on-one situations, and stop shots heading for the top corner, Ederson isn’t exactly that kind of goalkeeper.”
He concluded, “If you want a traditional goalkeeper who will make a lot of saves, you might be disappointed because he isn’t that type of keeper. But if you want someone who will help you play truly good football, perhaps provide assists, initiate play from the back, and deliver precise passes to defenders, midfielders, or strikers, then this choice is excellent. It really depends on what the coach wants.”
Galatasaray’s pursuit of both Osimhen and Ederson signals a clear ambition to compete at the highest level, but the success of the Ederson transfer will ultimately depend on striking a balance between Manchester City’s valuation and Galatasaray’s strategic needs.
