Manchester City owners interested in €50 million Brazilian centre-back – Competition from Red Bull | OneFootball

The City Football Group – the parent company behind the likes of Manchester City and Girona – are reportedly interested in a rising talent from the Brazilian game.

It is the latest in a long line of ambitious transfer interest from across the City Group that is likely to continue their portfolio of clubs’ development in their respective leagues, in light of Girona’s remarkable qualification for the UEFA Champions League next season.

Over at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City bosses are expected to invest quite heavily in their first-team operation this summer, with manager Pep Guardiola eyeing the likes of Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes and West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta for the midfield ranks.

Now, looking at the wider City Group, it is being reported that there is interest in one of Brazil’s most highly-valued central defenders, despite his potential planned steps within CFG’s portfolio remaining unknown.

That is according to the information of Gilmar GTS21 on social media platform X, who reports that Manchester City owners City Football Group are interested in the signing of Flamengo centre-back Cleiton, with competition from elsewhere in South America.

Alongside the City Group, the report states that both Red Bull Bragantino and Coritiba are interested in signing defender the 21-year-old, who reportedly has a €50 million release clause in his current contract, with Flamengo agreeing to ‘sell for a good offer’.

Manchester City themselves have recruited quite frequently from South America in recent years, both in the way of immediate first-team talents for Pep Guardiola’s squad and for the wider City Football Group.

Yan Couto and Savio are examples of the latter, with both players contributing heavily to the success witnessed by Girona in La Liga this season, and the aforementioned winger destined for assessment at Manchester City this summer.

Etihad Stadium bosses moved quick to reach an agreement with ESTAC Troyes – parent club of Savio during his time with Girona on loan – and are expected to welcome him on their pre-season tour of the United States in the summer before making a further decision on his future.

City have also purchased the likes of Julian Alvarez and Gabriel Jesus from South American football divisions, before embedding them directly into Pep Guardiola’s system, with the former now a starring part of the ongoing operation.