Manchester City sign superstar winger, in controversial deal that will anger many

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Manchester City have pre-agreed a summer deal - but it won't sit well with fans from around the continent

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and BSC Young Boys at Etihad Stadium on November 7, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign highly-rated winger Savio in the summer, though the move isn't without controversy.

With Jack Grealish, Jeremey Doku and Oscar Bobb all available on the wings for Pep Guardiola, Manchester City have already promised the Catalan boss reinforcements ahead of next season in the form of the Brazilian. 

That's even despite the winter transfer window having closing last week, with Manchester City managing to pre-agree the transfer of Savio due to them controversially taking advantage of their multi-club, City Football Group (CFG), ownership. 

Manchester City own NYCFC starting eleven pose before the last game of the MLS regular season against Chicago Fire FC at Citi Field. NYCFC won the game 1 - 0. Both teams were eliminated from post-season. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

New York City are among a number of clubs owned by CFG (Image credit: Getty Images)

Currently on loan at CFG-owned Girona, Savio's registration is actually held by Troyes, another side which falls under the CFG umbrella. The 19-year-old joined the French side in 2022 for a club-record deal, but supporters of the French side have never actually watched their record signing play.

Indeed, Savio spent last season on loan at PSV before joining high-flying Girona for this term. Troyes, though, are in danger of suffering back-to-back relegations as they sit a precarious 15th in Ligue 2.

And it seems Savio won't play a single minute for Troyes at all, with Manchester City agreeing a deal to sign him in the summer. While his contract with the French side expires in June 2027, City are set to take him for their own first team in the summer.

Savio Moreira of Girona FC looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Girona FC and Real Sociedad at Montilivi Stadium on February 04, 2024 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) Manchester City new signing

Savio is set to join Manchester City  (Image credit: Getty Images)

 While his Troyes contract expires in June 2027, Manchester City are still set to take the winger for their first team in the upcoming summer, though the agreed fee hasn't yet been disclosed. Reports suggest that Savio was the subject of £25m bids from Premier League and Bundesliga teams in January. 

Manchester City made the decision to bring Savio to the Etihad Stadium during internal discussions in December 2023, but wanted him to continue his progress at Girona in La Liga. So far this term he has managed five goals and seven assists in 23 games - something Troyes could have done with but what Manchester City will ultimately see the benefit of. 

Savio is valued at £25m by Transfermarkt.

More Manchester City stories 

Full report on Erling Haaland's Manchester situation and Real Madrid links 

Manchester United 'an hour late' to sign Erling Haaland in yet another huge transfer gaffe

How Erling Haaland "knew" Manchester City would beat Arsenal to Premier League title

Ryan Dabbs
Ryan Dabbs
Staff writer

Ryan is a staff writer for FourFourTwo, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with FourFourTwo permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future.