Maresca Moves for Argentine Shot-Stopper

Manchester City have submitted their first official bid to Olympique Marseille for goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli. Talks between the two clubs are now underway, marking a concrete step after days of swirling reports linking the Argentine with a move to the Etihad.

The timing makes sense. City’s goalkeeping department is in transition, with James Trafford closing in on a switch to Leeds United after a frustrating year stuck behind Gianluigi Donnarumma. That departure leaves a clear gap for a reliable understudy, and new head coach Enzo Maresca has reportedly identified the 34-year-old as the ideal short-term fix as he shapes his first City squad.

Personal terms already look settled. Reports out of France indicate Rulli has agreed a two-year contract with City, leaving the transfer fee as the last remaining hurdle. Marseille, however, aren’t simply waving him through. His deal at the Vélodrome runs until 2027, giving Marseille genuine leverage in these negotiations, even with the player pushing for a return to English football.

There’s also history here. Rulli previously held a City registration back in 2016, though a loan spell at Real Sociedad meant he never featured competitively for the club. Should this move go through, it would complete an unusual full circle a decade later, this time as a proven, experienced number two rather than a fringe squad option.

Marseille Weigh Their Own Plans

Marseille aren’t approaching this passively either. The club has already begun lining up a successor, with Toulouse shot-stopper Guillaume Restes emerging as a leading target to fill Rulli’s void. That suggests Marseille are open to a sale, provided the fee and timing suit their own rebuild.

Rulli’s importance to the Ligue 1 side shouldn’t be understated. He started as first-choice goalkeeper last season, making 39 appearances and keeping nine clean sheets, numbers that reflect real consistency at the back. Losing that presence won’t be simple, hence the club’s insistence on controlling exactly when he leaves.

Competition adds further intrigue. Sporting CP have also shown interest in the veteran, though most signs point toward Rulli favoring a Premier League return. For Maresca, meanwhile, adding a composed, tournament-tested figure behind Donnarumma strengthens squad depth as he settles into life at the Etihad following Pep Guardiola’s departure this summer.

Expect movement soon. With personal terms done and City’s opening bid now on the table, attention turns to how quickly Marseille secure their own replacement, and how much City are willing to raise their offer to get this one over the line.