Manchester City round-up: Claudio Bravo replacement update; race for Espanyol’s Aaron Martin; Hector Bellerin open to move

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According to reports in The Sun, via Portuguese outlet Record, Manchester City have agreed a deal with young Benfica goalkeeper Ederson Moraes ahead of a summer move to the Etihad.

The 23-year-old is believed to be a straight-up replacement for the struggling Claudio Bravo and the soon to be out of contract Willy Caballero, with Pep Guardiola wasting no time over Moraes.

The Portuguese goalkeeper has a reported £50 million buy-out clause in his contract after impressing this season, but Guardiola allegedly believes he will secure the signing for a fee of around £30 million.

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Reports from Portugal claim that a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ has been made between the two clubs, with the signing to be finalised once the current domestic campaigns come to an end.

The Sun also reports that City have entered a race with Spanish giants Real Madrid to sign highly-rated left-back Aaron Martin from Espanyol, who is worth a reported £26 million.

It has been widely known that Guardiola wants to tinker with his defence once the season ends, looking at bringing in youth, and 19-year-old Martin is reportedly his latest target.

With Aleksander Kolarov, Bacary Sagna and Pablo Zabaleta all over 30-years-old, the City boss could be tempted to use some of his transfer kitty to entice the young Espanyol man to the Etihad.

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Martin has made 23 appearances in La Liga this season, helping his Espanyol side in their hunt for a top half of the table finish.

Another defender on Guardiola’s radar is Arsenal right-back Hector Bellerin, and the Manchester Evening News reports that the Spaniard’s interest in a move to Manchester is growing.

The Spanish Under-21 international signed a six-year deal at the Emirates back in November, but it is believed that an offer in the right region could persuade Bellerin to start looking elsewhere.

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Speaking yesterday, Bellerin was quoted saying:

“I know there has been interest from City, it’s a compliment.

“That a coach like Guardiola wants you in his ranks is very nice, that is what motivates me even more, a sign that things are going well, but I still have a long way to go and to improve.”

Bellerin has made 22 appearances for Arsenal this season, proving to be one of the few bright sparks as the Gunners were eliminated by Bayern Munich at the last-16 stage of the Champions League.

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