Manchester City target Ederson Moraes’ fantastic form for Benfica has finally been rewarded.
The goalkeeper has received the first national team call up of his career as Brazilian manager Tite named the squad for the next games of the World Cup Qualifiers.
Ederson isn’t widely known in Brazil, as he left the country early to join Rio Ave in Portugal. After being brought to Benfica by Jorge Mendes, he only conquered a place in the team last season, after sending the former national team goalkeeper Julio Cesar to the bench. The 23-year-old has 46 appearances for the Eagles side so far.
The call-up came after the former Brazilian goalkeeper and now member of the national team staff Taffarel went to Portugal to watch Ederson live. Taffarel was lucky enough to see one of the goalkeeper’s best performances, in which he stopped Borussia Dortmund’s attack and even saved a penalty.
Ederson has been frequently linked to Manchester City by the Portuguese press. It’s often claimed that Pep Guardiola has been an admirer since he saw the keeper’s performance against Bayern Munich last season, and now wants to bring him to England.
The player has a €60m release clause, and as Benfica own only 50% of his economical rights, it’s possible they won’t sell him for much less than that amount.
Speculation or not, we’re pretty convinced he’s a reasonable target for Manchester City next summer. Young and talented, Ederson has already proved himself at the top level and is one of the most promising goalkeepers in the market.
Premier League players Fernandinho, Willian, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino were all called-up as well.
