Manchester City have begun discussions with Sporting Clube de Portugal over a potential move for goalkeeper Rui Patricio according to Tancredi Palmeri. He becomes the latest keeper to be linked with a move to Manchester this summer, and comes alongside some speculation that Joe Hart may move to Arsenal before the transfer deadline.
Twitter: Manchester City holding contacts with Sporting for Rui Patricio (@tancredipalmeri)
Despite being highly-rated, Patricio has remained at Sporting for the last ten years, winning a number of trophies despite Benfica and Porto often being more prominent in the chase for silverware. He has occasionally been linked with moves to England, and this is the latest in those links.
Earlier in the summer there was speculation about Hart’s future upon the rival of Pep Guardiola, with doubts over the ability of the England goalkeeper on the ball. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen was heavily linked with a move away from Barcelona, but seems likely to remain in Catalonia rather than complete a Premier League move. However, Patricio would be a potential replacement in the case of Hart leaving – to Arsenal or elsewhere.
Geronimo Rulli is expected to be confirmed as a City signing in the coming weeks, but will be loaned out to La Liga rather than stay in Manchester and challenge for a first-team place. Hart and Caballero could face some challenge from youngster Angus Gunn, who has indicated he wants to stay and challenge, rather than be loaned out.
In a decade with the Sporting first-team, 28-year-old Patricio has played 355 times in all competitions, including regular experience in the Champions League and Europa League, which would be beneficial to City, who want to improve on their performance in last season’s edition of the UCL, reaching the final four. He was also instrumental in knocking City out of the Europa League in the 2011-12 season, as City triumphed at the Etihad in the second leg.
Patricio has also played 52 times for Portugal, and helped them win this summer’s European Championships in France.
