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Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson has responded to claims that he was affected by praise for his teammate Stefan Ortega, labeling the report “completely false” and insisting he is “fully focused” on the upcoming season.

Ederson, widely regarded as the best ball-playing goalkeeper in the world, has been linked with a move to Al-Ittihad and the Saudi Pro League despite his status in the game. Manchester City has set a price of £50m for the Brazilian shot-stopper.

The Athletic reported earlier this week that Ederson was affected by the praise Ortega received for his world-class stop against Son Heung-min in a crucial Premier League run-in trip to Tottenham. However, Ederson took to social media to deny the report, stating that the alleged dissatisfaction with a coworker was “completely false.”

Man City goalkeeper has hit back at claims he was ‘affected’ by praise for Stefan Ortega

Ederson wrote on Instagram: “I would like to clarify that the note published by The Athletic yesterday, referring to my alleged dissatisfaction with a coworker, is completely false.”

He continued: “The alleged day reported was, without a doubt, one of the most difficult days of my career, when I suffered a fracture that prevented me from playing in the final stretch of the season and, consequently, from representing my country in the Copa América.”

Ederson’s wife also responded to the report, posting on Instagram: “Get better information first, this is totally fake news.”

Pep Guardiola provided an update on Ederson’s future after his side’s 4-3 pre-season friendly defeat against Celtic on Wednesday. “I’d like him to stay, but it depends on other clubs,” Guardiola said. “I don’t know the situation.”

Ederson had to be taken off against Tottenham after suffering a head injury but was visibly frustrated on the bench

Interest from the Saudi Pro League in City’s goalkeeper has been intense in recent months, with Al-Nassr initially hopeful of luring the Brazilian away from the Etihad Stadium. Their offer of £25million fell way below City’s valuation, but Al-Ittihad have been given enough encouragement to open dialogue with the Premier League champions.

He is believed to be valued at somewhere nearer £50m, and Al-Ittihad are ready to test that resolve for what would be a major coup for the SPL.

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Man City goalkeeper Ederson hits back at ‘completely false’ claims that he was ‘affected’ by praise for team-mate Stefan Ortega… and insists he’s ‘fully focused’ on next season despite interest from Saudi Arabia