The £25m Man City transfer move that would break the internet - for all the wrong reasons

Nobody does the irksomely unexpected quite like Pep Guardiola. Ordinarily, this amounts to little more than integral players being utilised in unfamiliar positions for decisive matches, but every now and again, the Manchester City manager will go above and beyond by indiscriminately wielding the axe on a talent who, right up until the moment he is not, has otherwise been deemed indispensable.

The latest prospective victim of this executioner’s streak is Ederson, undisputed first choice goalkeeper at the Etihad and widely considered to be one of the best players in his position in world football. At 30, he is still very much in his prime and, periods of injury aside, contributed a significant amount towards City’s historic fourth consecutive Premier League title win this season. He is also being touted for an exit in the coming weeks.

According to reports, the South American is a target for Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ittihad, who are understood to be readying a bid of around £25 million for the stopper. What’s more, City might just be willing to accept.

Coached by Argentine Marcelo Gallardo, Al Ittihad already boast having Ederson's friend and compatriot Fabinho on their books alongside the likes of N'Golo Kante and Karim Benzema - though the French striker is expected to leave this summer. Al Nassr, home of Cristiano Ronaldo, have also been credited with interest in the City number one as they consider potential replacements for David Ospina, who is out of contract this summer.

For his part, Ederson has reportedly been mulling over the possibility of accepting a new challenge during the upcoming transfer window, and as such might actually be willing to bid farewell to Guardiola and his project. From an outside perspective, there is not a single aspect of this that would feel like a good idea for either the player or his current employers.

While City may be willing to sell, the reality is that they will find it extremely difficult to bring in a talent as capable of the sublime, as generally dependable, and as gifted with the ball at his feet as Ederson. Goalkeepers of his ilk are few and far between, even to one of the best club sides in world football, and to acquiesce to his exit would leave City facing an entirely unnecessary transfer scramble this summer.

Then there is sheer waste that a Middle Eastern transfer would represent to Ederson’s career at the present moment in time. It used to be the case that the Pro League was a glorified retirement home, a cash cow for the fading and the listless; not so much anymore. But even then, in the case of Ederson specifically, it feels like madness that he would be considering the notion of leaving a club like City to wile away his 30s in a division that has nothing to offer other than, presumably, an increased pay packet feels almost insane.

In short, if he is allowed to go, and if City decide to let him, then it is the sort of move that would break the internet... for all the wrong reasons.