Manchester City have finalised a deal to sign Girona wonderkid Savio in the summer transfer window, according to a report.
The Citizens are expected to strengthen their squad in the off-season, having faced stiff competition from Liverpool and Arsenal for this season's Premier League title.
While past seasons witnessed the treble-winners freely spending money to address their squad's needs, they are now forced to adopt a more cautious approach owing to Financial Fair Play regulations.
Consequently, they are likely to prioritise more strategic and astute signings in the next transfer market to avoid the possibility of being penalised, and Girona forward Savio appears to align with that strategy.
The 19-year-old Brazilian has had an impressive breakthrough season in La Liga, registering 10 goals and seven assists in 33 games across all competitions.
© Reuters
Man City finalise deal with Girona for Savio
According to a report from Football Insider's Peter O'Rourke, Man City have already agreed a deal with Girona for the highly-rated Savio, and the Brazilian is set to arrive at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.
The report adds that while there has yet to be formal confirmation by either club, it is believed that a full agreement is in place for the teenager to make the switch to the Premier League in the summer.
Savio is currently on loan at Girona from Troyes and also had a brief stint with Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven.
The Brazilian joined Troyes in 2022, and while the transfer fee to bring him to Manchester has yet to be disclosed, it is understood that negotiations are likely to be fairly straightforward with Girona and Troyes both being part of the City Group, who are the holding company that owns Man City.
© Reuters
Savio primarily applies his trade at left wing, which suggests that he will compete with the likes of Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku for a place in City's starting 11.
Grealish, who is the joint-most expensive English player in Premier League history, has already slipped in the pecking order this season and could find himself as the third option in the lineup with the arrival of the Brazilian teenager.
Aside from Savio, the Citizens had already wrapped up another transfer deal earlier in the week, bringing in Cardiff City's Timeo Whisker, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.
Whisker, who is just 15 years of age, will initially feature for the club's age group teams.
Man City drew level on 70 points with Liverpool after beating Crystal Palace 4-2 on Saturday, but the Reds will have the chance to regain their three-point advantage over the Citizens when they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Devesh Jaganath
