Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing a forgotten Chelsea outcast to replace departing cult hero Scott Carson.
On Monday, City announced that veteran goalkeeper Carson would leave the club upon the expiry of his contract this summer following six trophy-laden years at the Etihad.
Football fans everywhere were stunned in 2019 when Pep Guardiola signed the former England international, initially on loan, from Derby County.
Only ever the third-choice keeper, Carson would make just two appearances for the Citizens, the last of which in 2021, and was signed in part to help fill the club’s homegrown quota.
Nevertheless, he leaves Manchester with four winners medals for the Champions League, Club World Cup, Community Shield and UEFA Super Cup.
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The 39-year-old’s exit does however leave City needing to sign a new shotstopper in time for this summer’s Club World Cup, with the temporary transfer window closing on Tuesday.
Goalkeeper is an area the club have been looking to strengthen in for some time, though Guardiola has confirmed that City pulled out of the race to sign Espanyol star Joan Garcia who will now join Barcelona.
Sky Sports report that Portugal’s Nations League final hero Diogo Costa is a target, while they have the option to buy-back England star James Trafford from Burnley.
But the Telegraph add that City are ready to make a move for Chelsea’s third-choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli and are hopeful of getting a deal done within the next 24 hours.
The 33-year-old has spent the past four seasons at Stamford Bridge but his only appearance has been an FA Cup win over non-league Chesterfield in 2022.
Despite being a forgotten player, multiple Chelsea managers have kept Bettinelli on board due to his great work on the training ground, a quality Guardiola also admires.
The Englishman would not cost much and help make space for the Blues to sign a new keeper as they continue to push for AC Milan’s Mike Maignan.
Following a trophy-less 2024/25 campaign, City are making big waves in the transfer market, with Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri on the verge of moving to the Etihad for a combined £112million.
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