Pep Guardiola Finally Says ‘Yes’ to £51 Million Star as Manchester City Begin Summer Revolution

It was a weekend of mixed emotions for Manchester City and their masterful manager, Pep Guardiola.
At Wembley, City once again underlined their dominance with a commanding 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, securing a spot in yet another FA Cup final. Their control was absolute, their superiority unmistakable, and their fans roared with delight inside the famous stadium.

Yet as they celebrated, a harsh reality hit back home. Liverpool, relentless in their pursuit of glory, officially dethroned City in the Premier League title race. Guardiola, who had warned his players repeatedly about the dangers of complacency, found himself conceding the crown he had fought so fiercely to retain.

For a serial winner like Guardiola, the response to disappointment is never passive. If you don’t move forward, you fall behind. And Guardiola has chosen to react immediately — launching what promises to be a major summer overhaul at Manchester City.

Guardiola’s First Big Move

According to reports now surfacing, Guardiola has sanctioned his first significant signing of the summer. The green light has been given for the arrival of Diogo Costa — FC Porto’s outstanding 25-year-old goalkeeper, widely regarded as one of the best emerging talents between the posts.

Costa had long been on City’s radar. Yet until now, Guardiola’s commitment to signing a new goalkeeper remained uncertain. Ederson, a linchpin of City’s unprecedented domestic success, was still seen by many as indispensable.

But football waits for no one.

Ederson’s injury struggles this season, coupled with growing interest from Saudi Arabian giants Al-Ittihad, have forced City into action. With Ederson’s future increasingly pointing toward the Middle East, Guardiola has wasted no time plotting for life beyond his long-serving Brazilian.

Enter Diogo Costa

Talks between Manchester City and Diogo Costa have intensified. Xabier Mancisidor, City’s goalkeeping coach and a trusted voice in Guardiola’s inner circle, has taken a lead role in these discussions. His mission has been to outline a crystal-clear vision: Costa is not coming to compete for a spot — he is coming to own it.

Guardiola’s message to Costa has reportedly been emphatic:
“We believe in you. We are building the future around you.”

Such commitment has not gone unnoticed by Costa, who now sees Manchester City as his ideal next destination.

The Mendes and Viana Dynamic

Of course, no transfer saga involving top players is ever straightforward. Diogo Costa’s future is being orchestrated by Jorge Mendes, one of the game’s most influential agents. Alongside Mendes, FC Porto’s sporting director Hugo Viana has been deeply involved, fiercely protective of his club’s prized asset.

Negotiations have been relentless — frequent calls, tense meetings, and detailed email exchanges have filled the days and nights. Manchester City are hoping to secure Costa for a fee closer to €60 million (£51 million), significantly below his official €75 million (£63.8 million) release clause.

Porto, however, remain stubborn. To them, Costa is not just another player — he is a cornerstone of their future.

Costa’s Heart Set on the Etihad

Despite Porto’s resistance, there is growing confidence inside City’s corridors.
Sources close to the situation insist Diogo Costa has made his decision: Manchester City or nothing.

The prospect of playing under Guardiola, challenging for Premier League titles, and becoming a fixture in Europe’s elite competition has proven irresistible for the Portuguese goalkeeper.

Even Hugo Viana, once hopeful of persuading Costa to stay for another season, has reportedly accepted the inevitable. The pull of Manchester City is simply too strong.

Farewell Ederson?

As Diogo Costa prepares for his future in Manchester, Ederson’s glorious chapter at City seems to be approaching its conclusion.

Signed in 2017, Ederson transformed how goalkeepers were viewed in England — a sweeper-keeper with passing range and bravery unparalleled at the time. His impact on Guardiola’s system cannot be overstated.

However, sources suggest Guardiola has grown increasingly frustrated by Ederson’s injury setbacks. Missing critical matches at pivotal points of the campaign has cost City dearly, and the opportunity to cash in — with Al-Ittihad reportedly offering a lucrative package — seems too logical to pass up.

The era of Ederson looks set to end not in bitterness, but in bittersweet gratitude.

A Larger Summer Overhaul

The signing of Diogo Costa represents just the start of Manchester City’s planned summer revolution.

Insiders whisper that this transfer window could mark Guardiola’s most ambitious rebuild since his arrival in 2016. A mixture of seasoned exits and youthful promotions is anticipated as City attempt to refresh a squad that, despite its brilliance, showed signs of vulnerability this season.

Names like Omar Marmoush and academy talent Nico O’Reilly are being increasingly mentioned as part of the future core. Meanwhile, Mateo Kovacic, whose performance at Wembley turned heads, appears set for a more prominent role next season.

Contractual Tensions Behind the Scenes

Behind the scenes, negotiations for Costa’s move remain delicate.
Manchester City are determined to respect FC Porto’s position, mindful of preserving good relations with a club of considerable prestige.

Discussions have therefore revolved around more than just the transfer fee — intricate structures involving performance bonuses, payment installments, and potential resale clauses are being meticulously crafted.

While Porto’s president remains deeply reluctant to sell without the full release clause being activated, there is a growing sense that a compromise will be reached in the coming weeks.

Guardiola’s Vision for Costa

Pep Guardiola sees Diogo Costa as far more than just a goalkeeper.
He envisions Costa as the foundation of City’s next great team — a player who will not only make match-winning saves but also catalyze attacks with precise distribution and supreme composure under pressure.

Costa’s football IQ, calm demeanor, and foot skills fit perfectly into Guardiola’s tactical demands. In many ways, he is seen as a continuation and evolution of Ederson’s legacy.

City do not merely want a shot-stopper. They want a playmaker in gloves.

Hungry for Glory

Importantly, Diogo Costa arrives hungry.
Hungry to prove himself. Hungry to win. Hungry to leave his own mark on European football.

At just 25, he has the perfect blend of experience and untapped potential. For Guardiola, who cherishes coaching players still willing to learn, Costa represents the ideal project for the next phase of City’s dominance.

The Future Midfield Plan

Goalkeeper reinforcement isn’t the only plan on the table.
Manchester City are eyeing major reinforcements in midfield too. Rumors suggest that a new deep-lying playmaker and a dynamic box-to-box midfielder are being scouted, as concerns grow over Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term fitness.

The objective is simple: create a team capable of sustaining excellence long after Guardiola eventually departs.

Guardiola’s Long-Term Legacy

Pep Guardiola may not remain at Manchester City forever, but he is determined to leave behind a team built for continued supremacy.

By blending elite talents like Costa with emerging prospects like O’Reilly and others, Guardiola hopes to future-proof City’s dominance in England and Europe.

This is not just about next season. This is about the next decade.

A Warning to Rivals

Manchester City’s rivals should take note: the machine is being rebuilt, not broken.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea — all sense an opportunity to close the gap. But City’s actions speak louder than words.

The acquisition of Diogo Costa signals that City have no intention of relinquishing their place at the summit for long.

The New Battle Plan

Guardiola’s new battle plan is already unfolding.
Fast, decisive, and ruthless — City are preparing not just to compete but to conquer anew.

Diogo Costa is the first weapon forged. But he will not be the last.

By the time the 2025 season kicks off, Manchester City may well be an even more terrifying proposition than