Manchester City could exploit Hugo Viana’s Sporting links to improve their squad | OneFootball

Hugo Viana will have a busy first summer as sporting director at Manchester City. He will oversee the rebuild of Pep Guardiola’s squad and will pick up where he and Txiki Begiristain left off in the January transfer window. There are a host of positions where Pep Guardiola’s squad does need improving. Now a new report indicates that Viana could use his links with Sporting CP to further improve the Manchester City squad. When you look at the players Viana is reportedly targeting from his former club you can see why he’d be looking to add them to the current City squad.

Tom Procter has relayed a report from transfer expert Graeme Bailey for Manchester City News that winger Francisco Trincão and centre-back Ousmane Diomande of Sporting CP could be potential transfer targets for Manchester City. Furthermore, Procter’s report suggests that Hugo Viana is a big fan of Francisco Trincão. Procter further reports that Trincão is expected to leave Sporting CP this summer. Manchester United are reportedly also interested in signing the exciting winger in the summer. Tom Procter also reports that Manchester City could also follow up their interest in Ousmane Diomande this summer. If John Stones does depart City in the summer, then Pep Guardiola’s side could be in the market for another centre-back.

Francisco Trincão and Ousmane Diomande would improve Pep Guardiola’s squad but a move for Trincao appears to be the more likely move.

Manchester City could be in the market for another winger this summer. Jeremy Doku and Savinho are still developing their game and will need support. Oscar Bobb should feature more prominently for Pep Guardiola’s side next season. His 24/25 season has been wrecked by injury. Question marks also surround Jack Grealish’s future at the Etihad. Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden can both play out wide if required. But Foden appears destined to be a midfielder more than a winger. Bernardo Silva may be a squad player if he remains at Manchester City for next season. So there is merit to the idea of City signing another winger in the summer.

Francisco Trincão could be the player to add more quality on the wings to Pep Guardiola’s squad. Trincao primarily plays on the right wing for Sporting CP. He is a quick winger who is an incredibly talented dribbler. Trincao’s ability to beat a man is a key attribute of his game. This season for Sporting CP he has scored 9 goals and added 15 assists in 43 appearances in all competitions. His eye for a pass does stand out, and while he isn’t a prolific scorer, he can bob up with an important goal. Trincão is also 25 years of age and entering the prime of his career. Manchester City do need players in that age bracket. So a City move for Trincão does make sense on multiple fronts.

The other Sporting CP player named in Tom Procter’s report is Ousmane Diomande. Manchester City may be in the market for another centre-back and Diomande is an elite young defender. But that need may only become pressing if John Stones or Nathan Ake leaves the club. There is also the possibility that Juma Bah or Callum Doyle could be given an opportunity in Pep Guardiola’s squad next season. So while Diomande is a player City admire another centre-back may not be a pressing need for Manchester City to address in the summer.

Summary

It’s no surprise to see Manchester City linked to players from Sporting CP. Hugo Viana’s links to the club do make it an easy link to make. Of the two players linked as potential Manchester City targets a move for Francisco Trincão does make more sense than a move for Ousmane Diomande. It remains to be seen if City does move for Trincão, but he would fill a need in Pep Guardiola’s squad, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if Hugo Viana did try and bring him to the Etihad this summer.