Manchester City set to beat Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to England youth international defender | OneFootball

Premier League champions Manchester City appear set to utilise their strong relations with the wider City Football Group and secure the services of a new name in defence.

It is the latest in a string of connections between the Etihad Stadium club and their sister sides throughout the City Group, following on from the most recent agreement found between ESTAC Troyes and Manchester City.

Officials from the Etihad’s transfer department moved swiftly over the past few months to ensure that they would take control of the future of Brazilian international Savio, following on from his exemplary performances with Girona on-loan this season.

The 19-year-old will make the move to Manchester City this summer, and Pep Guardiola could hand the teenager the chance to impress during the pre-season tour of the United States before a final decision is made on whether he will be a part of the first-team squad.

It is the USA that now takes centre stage concerning Manchester City’s transfer activity too, with the Premier League giants moving ahead of Germany’s premier clubs to secure the talents of one of New York’s most exciting names.

That is according to the information of The Secret Scout, who reports that Manchester City are now ‘closing in’ on a deal to sign City Football Group and New York City FC’s highly-rated American/English left-back Christian McFarlane.

It has been further revealed that the 17-year-old is now set to join the Premier League champions, who have fended off strong competition from two of Germany’s top sides in Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

It remains unknown as to whether Manchester City will opt to retain McFarlane for their own Academy system upon his arrival at the club, or whether they see his talents as being suitable for another club within the City Group.

Girona of La Liga have emerged as the primary destination for Manchester City’s most highly-rated talents, and there is every possibility that the Catalan club could also be competing in the UEFA Champions League next season.

Claudio Echeverri – who is currently on loan from the Etihad at River Plate – is expected to join the European game from January 2025, when some believe he could be sent on a temporary agreement to Girona, before being assessed by Manchester City the following summer.