“With all the pain in the heart, I’ll understand” – Pep Guardiola sends emotional message to want-away Manchester City star

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has sent an emotional message to one of the club’s want-away first-team stars this summer, speaking in a recent interview.

That public message has been sent to Ederson, who is understood to have had his eye on a move away from the Etihad Stadium after seven years at the club in search of a fresh challenge and in light of Saudi Arabian interest.

However, with the Middle-Eastern league standard firm on their own strict budgets, whilst Manchester City do the same within their own offices, a move for Ederson has failed to progress, allowing for the player to reintegrate himself into the first-team squad this summer.

Starring in all three of the club’s pre-season matches in the United States, the belief is that Manchester City would be all too happy to retain Ederson for the forthcoming season, with Stefan Ortega – who recently extended his contract – taking the role of back-up once again.

But for as long as Saudi Arabian clubs maintain their eye-watering budgets, the possibility of Ederson leaving Manchester City will remain deep into the summer, and as such Pep Guardiola is maintaining his public pleas to the player to stay put.

Speaking to Fred Caldeira of TNT Sports Brazil after Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with FC Barcelona in Orlando, Florida this week, Pep Guardiola sent an emotional message to the club’s first-choice goalkeeper Ederson over his desire to retain the Brazilian this summer.

“I only hope him to stay with me, with us,” Guardiola said. “He is a person I love, who I want. He has given us so much, he is a ‘porteirazo’. I hope he gives us a clear answer as soon as possible.”

But on the subject of whether Ederson has to leave the club, Pep Guardiola continued, “With all the pain in the heart, I’ll understand. But he needs to clarify what he wants as soon as possible, because I would like that, and for us to concentrate and arrive well in the season.”

The 53-year-old was also asked whether he has spoken directly to Ederson about the goalkeeping situation within his Manchester City squad, to which he responded, “He knows what I think. He already knows.”

Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad have been the two clubs most heavily linked with interest in Ederson this summer, however neither club have been able to get anywhere near Manchester City’s valuation of the goalkeeper.

The belief in various quarters is that whilst Ederson himself has been subject to a staggering financial proposal, understood to be worth in the region of £900,000-per-week contractually, the highest bid tabled to Etihad chiefs has been £25 million.

The Premier League champions have stood firm on their own belief that Ederson is worth in the region of £50 million, and should a club offer a bid in and around that valuation, the player will be allowed to leave and City reassess their own options within the transfer market.