Man City identify Silva replacement as Portuguese maestro talks up next move
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Manchester City are reportedly keen to accelerate Savio’s progress through the City Group ranks and bring him to the Etihad. The winger is impressing at Girona and has been identified as a potential target to come in at City, with reports continuing to link Bernardo Silva with a move away from the club.
City splashed the cash over the summer, bringing in Mateo Kovacic, Matheus Nunes, Jeremy Doku and Josko Gvardiol for significant fees. The quartet have slotted seamlessly into Pep Guardiola’s side and are enjoying life at the top of the Premier League table.
Of the four, Doku has been the most influential signing. The Belgium international has quickly asserted himself as one of the most exciting wingers in Europe and his £55million price tag is already beginning to appear to be a bargain.
City are keen to continue bolstering their attacking ranks in the future, and 90min report that they are ‘keeping tabs’ on Savio, who is out on loan at Girona from Troyes. The Brazilian has scored four and assisted four in 13 La Liga appearances, with his electric pace down the wing catching the eye.
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The 19-year-old has been a revelation for Girona and City are already considering accelerating his progress further, with a deal described as ‘straightforward’ as the Spanish side are already part of the City Group.
Savio has not shied away from addressing a potential move to the Etihad in the future, telling Marca earlier this season: “I’m so happy at Girona, this is the perfect place. The City Group is a very good project. I feel that City Group’s project is first class. If I do well, Manchester City will want me.
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Savio’s arrival could push City to finally part ways with Silva, who has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain over the past 12 months. The Portugal international is the apple of Guardiola’s eye, but the arrival of another winger could finally give the ex-Monaco star a reason to move elsewhere.
However, a move to the aforementioned clubs may not truly be on the cards for Silva as he has his heart set on returning to Portugal in the future. He told CNN: “I want to return to Benfica. If the club wants me at the time, obviously things will happen.”
Aged 29, Silva still has plenty to offer at one of Europe’s top clubs and he may simply be planting a seed for a move to Benfica further down the line. However, even the minor transfer talk could be a sign that leaving City remains in his thoughts, which could prompt Savio’s pursuit to hot up.
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