Manchester City have beaten La Liga outfit Real Sociedad to the signing of goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, according to Uruguayan news outlet DiarioUno.
Rulli had been expected to complete a permanent move to Sociedad this summer after two successful seasons on loan in Spain, but it appears that City are close to making their fifth signing of the summer.
Sociedad activated the 24-year-old’s £6m release clause at Deportivo Maldonado and had agreed a six-year deal with the player himself. However, Pep Guardiola’s side have offered to pay £9m for the highly-rated shot-stopper.
The Argentine, who is set to compete for his country at this summer’s Olympics in Brazil, would spend the 2016/17 season on loan at the Anoeta Stadium even if he did decide to join City.
Guardiola sees Rulli as a perfect replacement for Willy Caballero, whose contract expires at the end of next season, and believes that he can compete with Joe Hart for a first-team position in the coming years.
