2 Man City stars again linked with Saudi Pro League as rumours intensify

The transfer rumour mill has suddenly gone into overdrive for Manchester City, but the speculation is about two key players leaving the Etihad Stadium rather than joining.

The eight-time Premier League champions have strengthened their hand by signing Savinho from sister club Troyes, adding further quality to a side that has lifted the English top-flight title for the last four seasons.

There have been other players linked with joining Pep Guardiola but nothing that's really had any serious substance to it – RB Leipzig's Dani Olmo, a star for Spain at Euro 2024 recently, perhaps the one potential incoming that makes a whole load of sense.

Instead, it's the exit door that's getting the most attention in Manchester. 90min recently revealed the four players who could look to engineer moves away from the club this summer – largely to play more regular first-team football – but there's others whose names are cropping up in the transfer gossip columns day in, day out.

Namely, Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson – two incredibly important players to City who are in the crosshairs of the Saudi Pro League.

Kevin De Bruyne

The noise around De Bruyne stems from the Saudi Pro League's desire to make the Belgian one of their marquee signings of 2024.

90min reported as early as February that the 33-year-old, who is heading into the final year of his City contract, was on the radar, and the links with the Middle East have continued to come.

De Bruyne previously said of a potential exit: "I still have one year left on my contract, so I have to think about what could happen. My eldest is now eight years old and knows nothing but England. He also asks how long I will play for City. Once the moment comes, we will have to deal with it in a certain way.

"At my age you have to be open to everything. You’re talking about incredible amounts of money in what may be the end of my career. Sometimes you have to think about that."

Italian journalist Rudy Galetti claims personal terms have been agreed with Al Ittihad – the club who house Karim Benzema, Fabinho and N'Golo Kante among others. Discussions over a transfer fee are said to be ongoing, but it remains to be seen whether or not City could be tempted to part ways with a player who has arguably been the Premier League's biggest star over the past decade.

Ederson

Ederson's name has also been floating around gossip columns for the past couple of months, with the chance to become the highest-paid goalkeeper in world football a real very possibility.

90min outlined in May that City would not stand in Ederson's way should he wish to pursue a new challenge – a stance they have adopted for every player for a number of years – but the terms of any deal would have to be dictated by the 2023 Champions League winners.

Al Ittihad and Al Ahli, who are both financed by PIF, are in the market for a new goalkeeper, and a significant chunk of money would head Ederson's way if he was prepared to head to the Middle East.

The indication is that the Brazilian would go if City agree to sell Al Ittihad – he has, after all, won every trophy there is to win under Pep Guardiola – amid reports from Fabrizio Romano that personal terms had previously been agreed with Al Nassr.

City value Ederson upwards of £40m as a minimum, it's now down to the Saudi Pro League to decide whether or not to fund the move as well as a hefty wage packet.

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