- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar is an option to replace Stefan Ortega as Manchester City’s number two goalkeeper with Wolves another potential Premier League destination.
HITC Football understands that, with Ortega’s contract running down and with clubs both in Europe and the Middle East interested in the experienced glovesman, Pep Guardiola’s treble-winners could be in the market for a talented shot-stopper to provide competition for Ederson Moraes at the Etihad Stadium.
And Mile Svilar is one name to keep an eye on.
The former Benfica youngster has been a revelation at Roma since the turn of the year, ousting one-time Wolves glovesman Rui Patricio as the Serie A giants’ first-choice.
Manchester City may need a new goalkeeper
HITC Football understand that Svilar’s name is now being floated amongst clubs in the market for a new goalkeeper. Wolverhampton Wanderers are one of those, Jose Sa still struggling with the ball-playing demands expected of him under Gary O’Neill.
Svilar is a lot more confident with the ball at his feet than Sa.
HITC has been informed that the Belgian-born Serbia international is an option for Manchester City and it almost goes without saying any goalkeeper in a Guardiola side must be supremely comfortable when passing out from the back.
Ederson and Ortega are two of the best in the business when it comes to acting almost as an extra outfield player when City are in possession. Ortega, however, could move on in pursuit of more regular first-team football. There is interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia in both Ortega and the aforementioned Patricio.
Roma, should they lose Patricio, will be unlikely to entertain offers for Svilar. The Giallorossi are under no immediate pressure to cash in either, with Svilar under contract until 2027. We understand that Roma will offer him a new deal, with an extended stay in the capital the most likely outcome as things stand.
“I am very happy for the moment that Svilar is experiencing,” Roma director Tiago Pinto tells Sky Italia of the Antwerp-born 24-year-old. “I knew him from his time at Benfica in 2017. Then, he came with me to Rome. He suffered a lot and he is grown so much.
“He will be among the best in the world.”
Jose Mourinho is a big fan
Jose Mourinho, Guardiola’s former sparring partner, once labelled Svilar ‘amazing’ and a ‘phenomenon’ despite a high-profile mistake which gifted Manchester United the winner against his Benfica side in the Champions League back in 2017. An 18-year-old Svilar became the youngest goalkeeper ever to feature in Europe’s elite competition at the time.
And Mourinho, of course, would end up working with him in the Italian capital.
Wolves, meanwhile, are also facing some questions over the future of their left-backs. We understand that the Molineux outfit will look to keep Hugo Bueno if the much-admired Rayan Ait-Nouri is lured away. Another of O’Neill’s key men – all-action midfielder Joao Gomes – has Premier League admirers, as does winger Pedro Neto.