Manchester City Agree Two-Year Contract with Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli
July 31, 2026 ·
Manchester City have reached agreement on personal terms with goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli on a two-year contract, while negotiations over a transfer fee with Marseille continue.
Manchester City Agree Two-Year Contract with Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli
Why this is important
Geronimo Rulli's move to Manchester City is very important for this Premier League club, especially after the departure of James Trafford. Rulli, who has extensive experience in Europe, is expected to provide stability in the reserve goalkeeper position and support the development of young players at the club. With experience playing for big clubs, Rulli can be a valuable asset in facing tough competition in the Premier League.
Background
Geronimo Rulli, an experienced goalkeeper from Argentina, was previously registered as a Manchester City player in the 2016-2017 season. After a loan spell at Real Sociedad, he has played for several big European clubs such as Villarreal and Marseille. Returning to City would be a significant step in his career, especially amidst the tight competition in the Premier League.
Main Points
- Manchester City Agrees to Two-Year Contract with Goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
- Manchester City have reached agreement on personal terms with goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli on a two-year contract, while negotiations over a transfer fee with Marseille continue.
- Manchester City agree personal terms over two-year contract with goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli - Yahoo Sports.
Rulli has a special relationship with the Etihad Stadium, as he was registered as a Manchester City player in the 2016-2017 season, although he spent that season on loan at Real Sociedad. Thus, his move this time will be a return to the club he once played for. Since then, Rulli has played for big European clubs such as Villarreal, Ajax and Marseille, proving himself to be a reliable and experienced goalkeeper. In the 2025-2026 season, he made 29 appearances in all competitions with Marseille.
Rulli's contract at Olympique Marseille is still valid until June 2027, meaning Manchester City will have to pay a transfer fee to accelerate the move one year early. This is a major focus in negotiations between the two clubs as they look to reach an agreement. Although Sporting CP have also shown interest in Rulli, the goalkeeper has made clear his preference to join Manchester City, indicating that he prefers the Premier League.
According to a report from Santi Aouna, Marseille have received an official offer from City, and the two clubs are expected to reach an agreement, indicating that the process is moving in a positive direction even though the details of the compensation package are not yet completely finalized. Uri Iugt added that City had reached an agreement on personal terms with Rulli on a two-year contract, meaning that the negotiation aspect of the player's side had been completed, and now it was just a matter of finalizing the club's fee from City to Marseille.
This significant progress in negotiations shows that Rulli is eager to join and personal terms have been agreed, leaving the only remaining obstacle being the compensation structure between Manchester City and Marseille. Rulli's experience in Europe's top leagues and his involvement in the Champions League with Villarreal, where he saved a crucial penalty in their famous run in 2022, makes him a different figure compared to the younger goalkeepers in City's academy, such as Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The two-year contract structure is also a wise choice for a 34-year-old goalkeeper joining as a reserve, giving City an experienced option without a long-term commitment that could hamper the development of Oliver Whatmuff and Max Chabot. Now, the question that remains is whether Marseille will be willing to let go of their main goalkeeper a year before his contract expires and whether these negotiations can be completed quickly before the transfer deadline.
What happened next
Negotiations between Manchester City and Marseille regarding Rulli's transfer fee will be the main focus in the next few days. If an agreement is reached, Rulli will officially return to the Etihad Stadium, strengthening Pep Guardiola's squad ahead of the new season. Meanwhile, Sporting CP were also reportedly interested, but Rulli preferred to join City, showing the appeal of the Premier League for top players.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is involved in this deal?
This deal involves Manchester City and goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Where was Geronimo Rulli from before?
Geronimo Rulli previously played for Olympique Marseille.
Why did Geronimo Rulli choose Manchester City?
Rulli indicated his preference to join Manchester City because he prefers the Premier League.
What is the status of the transfer fee for Geronimo Rulli?
Negotiations between Manchester City and Olympique Marseille regarding the transfer fee are still ongoing.
When will Geronimo Rulli's contract be official?
Rulli's contract with Manchester City will be official once a transfer fee agreement is reached.