CITY ARE 'MADA MONEY Man City set to land ‘new Messi’ with £20m deal for teen sensation Almada
Guardiola is so keen on Argentinian he is willing to let Spanish partner club Girona sign him first to avoid Fifa transfer ban
Posted Sunday, April 21, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk
MANCHESTER CITY hope to buy Argentina starlet Thiago Almada — dubbed the new Lionel Messi — in a £20million deal.
And City are so keen to land the Velez Sarsfield prospect they are even willing to let Spanish partner club Girona take him first if they are hit by a Fifa transfer ban.
Velez Sarsfield midfielder Thiago Almada, right, is a top teen target for Man City
Spies for boss Pep Guardiola have made attacking midfielder Almada a top target for the summer, despite the fact he only turns 18 on Friday.
City are prepared to pay a huge fee for Almada because that would help get him a work permit if they can do the deal.
Almada is rated the best young talent in his homeland and his explosive and clever skills have marked him out as the latest to be compared to Barcelona great Messi.
However, experts reckon he could be the real deal and more likely than any other player to become a world force like his fellow countryman.
Etihad chiefs are aware they could be stopped from signing players because of probes into their finances and possible transfer offences.
If that is the case, City will tee up a deal with Girona to bring Almada to Europe in readiness for joining them when they are clear.
City will use Girona quite regularly in the next year or two as part of their plan to land the next wave of top stars.
Scouts are looking at a handful of players who could sign for either club as the links with the La Liga outfit become stronger.
Photos
More»
De Bruyne's glamorous Wag stuns in low-cut dress
Tuesday April 23 2024
[PICTURE SPECIAL] Coventry 3-3 Man Utd (2-4 pens)
Monday April 22 2024
Your Say