Savio signs, Ederson exit, Phillips talks - three transfer decisions Man City can make this week
Manchester City are yet to make a signing this summer but that might be about to change in the coming week.
Isaac is the Leeds United reporter for LeedsLive. An NCTJ-qualified journalist, Isaac has interviewed many football icons during his career, including World Cup winners and Premier League champions. He has also sat down with a number of Olympic greats, such as Adam Peaty MBE and Dame Laura Kenny.
Manchester City are not expected to have a busy summer window, although the intensity could be ramped up depending on certain transfer decisions.
More bids for a number of senior players from the Saudi Pro League could arrive amid the backdrop of this potentially being Pep Guardiola’s final season at the club, with his contract due to expire next June.
There are a number of fringe players who are expected to exit, after Sergio Gomez secured a switch to Real Sociedad and Taylor Harwood-Bellis joined Southampton permanently as per last year’s agreement. Both deals have seen City drum up £28.4m.
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City are yet to sign anyone this summer, but that might be about to change.
Savio deal
MEN Sport understands that City are on the cusp of landing Troyes winger Savio, who starred for loan club Girona last season. The attacker recorded 11 goals and 10 assists to help the Spanish outfit finish third in La Liga.
Both Troyes and Girona are part of the City Football Group enterprise and a deal for the 20-year-old passed regulatory checks this week. Transfer figures of up to £40m are being quoted, with the move expected to be sealed shortly.
Savio is unlikely to jet off to the US with City for their pre-season tour - which begins on July 24 - even if signed in the next few days, due to his rest period following inclusion in Brazil’s squad for their Copa America campaign.
Ederson decision
Man City will wait to see whether an improved offer arrives for Ederson from the Saudi Pro League after a £25m bid from Al Ittihad was turned down. There have been strong links connecting the 30-year-old to Saudi this summer but City will not allow an exit for below his worth.
The goalkeeper market is traditionally a hard one, with the chances of poaching a world class shot-stopper usually reliant upon a merry-go-round. City are in a position where they can spark such a rotation within the European elite, but they will not want to do this late in the window.
City land a better chance of getting an Ederson replacement the earlier it is in the summer, with questions over Stefan Ortega’s long-term levels despite his stints of quality last season.
Saudi clubs might come forward this week with an improved offer while the goalkeeper enjoys a break following his Copa America campaign with Savio for Brazil. City will then need to decide whether the fee offered is worthwhile given the four-week timeframe afforded to search for a replacement.
Phillips future
Kalvin Phillips is destined for an exit this summer and, besides fitness reasons, it seems futile to take him on pre-season tour given he clearly plays no part in Guardiola’s plans. A number of Premier League clubs have been linked, most prominently Everton.
City are backed to hunt for a new midfielder this summer, probably fuelled in part by the exit of Phillips. The Blues paid £45m for the England international back in 2022 and would do well to get close to that figure again.
At the very least, there may be a chat about the transfer plans for Phillips going forward before jetting off to the States, where time differences could provide that small extra hurdle for potential suitors who will remain in Europe this pre-season. Outlining their terms ahead of the trip might be beneficial to all.
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