Man City Sign New Brazilian Sensation; Key Striker Wants Out

July starts joyously for those with Manchester City tickets. The club has completed the signing of Savinho from Troyes after his spectacular break-out loan season at Girona. 

City have signed the Brazilian on a five-year deal until the summer of 2029 as they look to trudge on toward their fifth-straight Premier League title. The defending champions will part with up to £35 million ($45m). City will pay an initial fee of £21m ($27.5m), with the deal potentially containing £13m ($16m) in add-ons.

Speaking to club media, Savio said: “I’m so happy to be joining Manchester City, the Premier League champions and Club World Cup winners. Everyone knows they are the best team in the world right now, so to be here is very exciting for me.

“I’m excited to work under Pep Guardiola, one of the greatest coaches ever and someone I know will help me improve even more.

“I had a fantastic time in Spain, and I’m looking forward to the new challenge of playing in the Premier League alongside some of the best players in the world.

“I can’t wait to meet the fans and my new team-mates and hopefully be a part of bringing more success to City.”

The Brazilian will soon join Pep Guardiola and his team for pre-season training as they prepare for City’s United States tour.

Alvarez Wants to Leave

In a shocking note to all those with Manchester City tickets, the management has made a bold call with Julian Alvarez after a disagreement. 

Julian Alvarez has reportedly asked to leave Manchester City after rejecting a new contract at the end of last season. 

The Argentinian forward has shocked the English champions with his demands after only signing for the club in 2022.

According to El Chiringuito, Alvarez turned down a contract to see him stay in Manchester until 2028.

He also demanded that the city set a ‘logical’ asking price for European potential buyers.

Pep Guardiola bought Alvarez after impressing for Argentinian side River Plate.

In two seasons at the Ethiad, he has scored 36 goals and registered 18 assists in 103 games, but much of his role has consisted of coming off the bench to support Erling Haaland. 

The 24-year-old also won the World Cup with Argentina during that time, and according to The Sun, City would consider a sale only after receiving a bid of at least £70m.

Previous reports have suggested City rejected an approach from Atletico Madrid for Alvarez, according to Marca. 

Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in Alvarez, who is believed to be keen on playing more regularly as a central striker.

Those with Manchester City tickets agree that despite being immensely talented, Alvarez cannot fit into the City line-up as a starting choice with all the talent at the front. If he is looking for more game time, a transfer out would be the ideal solution. 

Guardiola Will Wait Out His Decision 

Pep Guardiola is expected to decide on his future as Manchester City manager between December and February, months before his contract expires.

Guardiola’s City tenure began in June 2016, and he ended the last campaign uncertain about extending it beyond next summer. The 53-year-old remains unsure and is minded to make the decision midway through the season, the Guardian understands.

The club executives, led by Khaldoon al-Mubarak, are keen for the Catalan to sign on again but respect Guardiola’s need for time to consider his next move. Guardiola has previously been undecided about how long he will stay at City. 

His inner circle believed his initial three-year deal might be his last. Then, in May 2018, he signed on again until 2021; in November 2020, a second extension took him until 2023. This was viewed as almost his final contract, but in November of the 2022-23 treble campaign, Guardiola agreed to remain until June 2025.

Guardiola is City’s most successful manager by a wide margin, ­having led the club to six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, the Champions League, the Super Cup, and the Club World Cup. In May, he said: “Even myself, I couldn’t expect to stay here eight years, but everything goes well.”

Guardiola’s decision to strengthen his squad in the summer window may depend on any outgoings. Ederson, the first-choice goalkeeper, is reportedly attracting interest from Saudi Arabian clubs, and Bernardo Silva is thought to have a £50m release clause that may attract suitors.

While the Guardiola discussions are underway, some fans with Manchester City tickets are spreading a rumor that the Spaniard will take over from Gareth Southgate as Manager of the England national side. As Southgate tendered his resignation after another unsuccessful Euro campaign where England was runners-up, Guardiola is hinted to be one of the top candidates for the job. 

However, this will all work out only if Guardiola opts to leave or even take on the job after June 2025. 

City Wear Golden Badge Again 

Manchester City can boast that they are champions of the world for another season.

Pep Guardiola’s club approached the Premier League to ask if they could continue to wear the gold badges on their shirts in honor of their 2023 Club World Cup victory. League bosses have given them the green light to do so for the duration of the forthcoming campaign.

There will be no tournament this summer, thanks both to the significant increase in clubs involved and the fact that organizers want to use next year’s version, which will be held in the United States, as a test run for the 2026 World Cup.

In a development that may raise some eyebrows, Premier League chiefs, currently locked in a legal battle with City over financial rules, have given approval to wear the patches for another year.

FIFA approved controversial plans to increase the number of clubs involved in the Club World Cup from seven to 32 next year. That move has been met with significant criticism, with players’ union FIFPro claiming they were not consulted and legal action launched by the PFAs of England and France.