Manchester City are moving swiftly in the transfer market to secure a new backup goalkeeper ahead of the upcoming Premier League season.
The club’s search for reinforcement between the posts has been triggered by James Trafford’s impending departure, with the English shot-stopper closing in on a move to Leeds United.
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Premier League champions have identified Olympique Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli as their primary target to fill the void.
Romano took to X to break the news, writing: “EXCLUSIVE: Manchester City want Geronimo Rulli as new backup goalkeeper to replace James Trafford. Argentinian GK understood to be keen on the move; Olympique Marseille aware of interest, #MCFC on it.”
The fact that Rulli is understood to be keen on the transfer gives City significant leverage as they look to push through a deal with Marseille.
A move for the 34-year-old Argentine would represent a remarkable full-circle moment, given his brief and largely unfulfilled connection with the club nearly a decade ago.
Rulli originally joined Manchester City from Deportivo Maldonado in the summer of 2016, arriving at the Etihad shortly after Pep Guardiola took charge of the club.
Despite the excitement surrounding his arrival, Rulli never made a single competitive appearance for City, instead being immediately loaned back to Real Sociedad as part of a pre-arranged agreement.
Real Sociedad then completed a permanent transfer for the goalkeeper in January 2017, bringing his stint as a City player to an end before it had truly begun.
In the years since leaving Manchester, Rulli has gone on to build an impressive career, enjoying spells at Villarreal, Ajax and Marseille across club football.
His honours during that period include the UEFA Europa League and the FIFA World Cup with Argentina, cementing his reputation as a reliable and experienced goalkeeper at the highest level.
Now, Manchester City are actively working to bring Rulli back to the club to complete what amounts to unfinished business from his first stint in England.
Marseille are aware of the interest from the Premier League side, and with the player himself open to the switch, negotiations are expected to progress in the coming days.
