Revealed: Bizarre reason wantaway Man City goalkeeper Ederson is seeking Premier League exit amid links with big-money Saudi Arabia transfer

The Brazil international goalkeeper is seeing serious questions asked of his future at the Etihad Stadium. He has spent seven years in England, winning 17 trophies, but is now being linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League – with Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad both credited with interest.

City boss Pep Guardiola has done little to quash the speculation, saying when quizzed on Ederson’s future: “I don’t know. He has to see maybe other options. Of course, I would like him to stay but it depends now on the clubs. I don’t really know the situation because there are no contacts in the last days and it’s a question of training and being with us until the transfer window is going to finish. We will see what is going to happen with him.”

City are demanding around £50 million ($64m) from any sale. Ederson would prefer to remain in Europe, but is aware that teams from the Middle East will find it easier to find the funds required to do a deal – while also putting a lucrative contract in place.

The 30-year-old shot-stopper is, according to The Athletic, looking for a way out of City. Part of the reason for that is the praise that rained down on keeping rival Ortega following a clash with Tottenham in May that saw the German produce a title-defining save from Spurs captain Heung-min Son.

Some supporters suggested that Ederson would not have kept said effort out - after seeing him go off injured - and he posted a cryptic “no one understands, but me” message on social media in the aftermath of that game in north London. As he feels underappreciated – despite being a Treble winner – a fresh start is now being sought.