Man City’s £40m Transfer Deal Delay Because Of This Reason
Savio caught the eye with Girona in Spain, earning a place in the La Liga team of the season alongside Jude Bellingham, Vinicius, Ilkay Gundogan and Robert Lewandowski.
That form showed City his ability on the big stage, but with Girona qualifying for the Champions League it has raised some transfer scrutiny.
As Savio was on loan at Girona from another City Football Group sister-club in Troyes, UEFA are looking at the deal as they bid to crack down on transfers involving clubs owned by the same group.
As MEN Sport reported last week, the transfer is set to go through for a price deemed a fair market value. Reports suggest that could be as much as £40m, but the scrutiny has meant the move is taking longer.
Savio will be given the chance to impress Guardiola at City before a decision is taken over whether he remains at the Etihad or is loaned out for the 2024/25 campaign.
Girona’s unexpected qualification for the Champions League could rule them out of taking him back again as and when Savio joins City, but there would likely be no shortage of clubs keen to take a player with 11 goals and 10 assists in La Liga, and who is now a starting goalscorer for Brazil.
His international commitments are another factor preventing swift conclusion given his focus on trying to help Brazil to continental glory.
Last summer, the winger himself admitted the goal was to play for City when joining the CFG and becoming Troyes’ record signing. “I have the goal of playing for City. I think that when I was signed my goal was always to get to City and I’m working towards that,” he told PL Brazil.