Revealed: The title-defining moment that could have sealed Ederson's Man City exit with the Brazilian goalkeeper linked with £50m Saudi switch

Ederson is one of the finest goalkeeper's in the world - and there's an argument that he could be No 1 - but he has been linked with a move away from Manchester City, in a turn many may perhaps be surprised by. 

The Brazilian shot-stopper has been a crucial cog in Pep Guardiola's title-consuming machine in recent years, having arrived from Benfica for around £33million in 2017, replacing Claudio Bravo. 

He is widely regarded as the best ball-playing goalkeeper in the world, and has stepped into Manuel Neuer's gloves as the undisputed sweeper-keeper king. 

Yet he has been linked with a move to Al-Ittihad and the Saudi Pro League despite his status in the game, with Man City setting a price of £50m. 

According to The Athletic, Ederson was prepared to pen new terms, with his current deal up in 2026, but his Brazilian compatriots already in the Saudi Pro League had begun to feel confident that he was set to join them by the time the end of the season rolled around. 

There have been questions as to why he might want to make the switch, but it would seem that there is more than just a financial motivation. 

According to reports, Ederson was believed to have been affected by the praise his team-mate Stefan Ortega garnered for his world class stop against Son Heung-min in a crucial Premier League run-in trip to Tottenham. 

With the title very much on the line, Tottenham star Son was through one-on-one with Ortega, who rushed off his line four minutes from time before sprawling spread-eagled to block the South Korean's effort and potentially seal the title. 

Ederson, importantly, had reacted very poorly at being substituted earlier on in the game after suffering a knock to the head, and was visibly frustrated on the bench at his game being so curtailed. 

German goalkeeper Ortega understandably drew plaudits for his heroics, though some fans appeared to suggest that Ederson himself might not have made the stop - something which has seemingly irked the Brazilian. 

However, in Guardiola's eyes it would appear that there is only one top dog between the sticks, and after that game he was quick to underline that though Ortega's was a title-defining stop, Ederson was still his No 1. 

'Do you know why we won the Champions League?' he asked. 'It was Ederson. In Madrid, 1-1, he made an incredible save from a header from Benzema. 

'The Champions League final, he was the key player, the key to winning. We cannot define the period without Eddie, impossible.'

Ortega has played deputy to Ederson for the last two seasons, but whenever he was called upon he put in more than solid displays, and in fact penned his own new deal in June. 

He had been expected to move on from the Etihad having proved that he was better than a No 2, but now he could end up throwing his gloves in the ring for the No 1 gig. 

City have made a habit of letting players that no longer wish to be around leave with very little fuss. 

Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have joined Arsenal in recent years, with Leroy Sane moving to Bayern Munich, and Raheem Sterling to Chelsea. 

However, last season when clubs were sniffing around Bernardo Silva and Kyle Walker, they did make things difficult in order to keep hold of the duo. 

The Athletic report that while Ederson would prefer a move to Europe, he is aware that few would be able to afford the fee City are after. 

And Ederson is not the only South American star keen to move on, as Guardiola hinted at: 'No uncertainty! We are certain. Maybe one player or one-and-a-half, but the rest will stay.'

Julian Alvarez is reportedly keen for more minutes, which he will likely not find behind Erling Haaland in the pecking order, though he may find it difficult to find a suitor willing to pay the fee City are after. 

Guardiola's side are looking for roughly £60m plus add-ons, which reports claim Atletico Madrid are not keen to pay - even though they could offer the warmer climate that the Argentine's family are keen for. 

Alvarez is currently representing his country at the Olympics, having just played in and won the Copa America, and will likely require a longer rest before the start of the season.