Man City lining up player from League One as first signing of post-Pep Guardiola era

Manchester City are reportedly set to join the race to sign one of League One's top goalkeepers.

Man City gave manager Pep Guardiola a glitzy send-off in Manchester on Monday and are now facing up to the realities of the challenge he leaves behind after a decade of near-dominance at the Etihad Stadium.

After missing out on a seventh Premier League title under the Catalan boss, City will be working to put themselves back at the top of the pile. Their efforts will begin with a new manager, widely expected to be former Chelsea and Leicester City gaffer Enzo Maresca, but there's activity on the recruitment front too.

The summer transfer window is City's opportunity to provide Maresca with the tools to produce a meaningful push for the title and one of their earliest reported targets is a name that will be familiar not only to Man City supporters, but also to fans of clubs in the EFL Championship.

Sheffield Wednesday were relegated from the second tier with months remaining in the 2025-26. Manager Henrik Pederson had to contend with deductions amounting to 18 points due to their financial failings under reviled former Dejphon Chansiri and the Owls ended the season on zero points.

Despite losing 32 of their 46 Championship matches, Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles has won plaudits either side of the shoulder surgery that took a chunk out of his season.

The 20-year-old Mancunian former City academy player, who left for Hillsborough in 2021 and has made just 36 senior appearances, is reportedly back on his old club's radar.

"Manchester City are exploring re-signing Northern Ireland goalkeeper Pierce Charles," reports talkSPORT correspondent Alex Crook.

What's in store for Man City goalkeepers?

The possible pursuit is linked to the probable departure of James Trafford, with Charles apparently earmarked as the understudy to 27-year-old Donnarumma while Trafford seeks the first team football he might have believed was on the cards at the time of his own return to the Etihad Stadium last summer.

Charles made 19 appearances for the Owls in the Championship this season, conceding nearly two goals per game despite his own positive contribution and more saves per 90 minutes than every goalkeeper in the division but one.

He has made 10 senior appearances for Northern Ireland.

Rangers are also interested in Charles, according to Crook.