Goalkeeper Aro Muric has been brought back from a brief loan spell at NAC Breda as Manchester City looked to plug the gap left in their squad following a serious injury to Claudio Bravo.
The 35-year-old Chilean had suffered an achilles tendon injury in training on Monday leaving a lack of experienced cover for first choice goalkeeper Ederson who recently turned 25.
Despite the transfer window being closed for English clubs, City were linked with a variety of goalkeepers – many of whom where available as free agents, but Pep Guardiola opted to recall 19-year-old Muric (who is 6’6″ tall) from a season long loan in the Netherlands with NAC Breda having played only one game where he earned a clean sheet in a 3-0 win over De Graafschap.
Montenegro-born Muric is now expected to become second choice to with Daniel Grimshaw remaining as third choice although reports continue to link unattached goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri – who was on Crystal Palace’s books earlier this year on a short term deal.
Brazilian Cavalieri, 35, might offer more experience but there is the possibility of home-grown Muric freeing up a spot in City’s Champions League squad and giving City’s other youngsters some incentive to train on.
Muric could also get some game time in the Carabao Cup when City begin their involvement at the end of September.
City’s squad was further trimmed this week with the departure of Jason Denayer to Lyon. The Belgian centre back played in the World Cup alongside captain Vincent Kompany but never made a senior appearance for the Blues.
Instead, the big defender clocked up loan spells at Galatarasaray, Celtic, and Sunderland before making the move to France in a four-year-deal for a fee believed to be worth £9m having come through City’s academy.
Midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko has been subject to an official approach by Spanish side Real Betis who want to take the Ukraine youngster on loan for the season. With Kevin De Bruyne injured, Zinchenko has been reluctant to move this summer – believing he could get game time in the first team at the Etihad instead.