Done deal 

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English champions Manchester City have signed Brazilian top talent Sávio. The 20-year-old winger has signed a contract until 2029 and is Man City’s first transfer this summer. The right-winger was initially signed by the City Football Group from Atlético Mineiro in 2022 and then moved to French side ESTAC Troyes, from where he was loaned to LaLiga side Girona. Now the next step in the player’s development will happen at Man City. 

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Man City will pay Girona £21 million (€25m) to sign Savio. With bonuses, the deal can grow to £33.6m (€40m). It is the sixth-highest transfer fee for a U20 player in the history of Man City. Once he hits his add-ons, Sávio could climb to third in that ranking. 

Sávio, who also had offers from other English clubs, has managed to increase his market value from €5m to €50m. That market value makes him one of the ten most valuable U20 players on the planet. Although he had offers from other clubs, Sávio always clarified that his goal was to play for City. “My goal was always to play for Man City,” Savio said. “That has been my goal ever since I was originally signed.” He has now reached his goal. 

Sávio to Man City: “We are totally confident in his ability” – Compared to Vinicius Jr. 

“Savinho is a very exciting player, and I think the City fans are really going to enjoy watching him,” Man City Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said in a club statement “What he achieved last season at Girona was remarkable, and he is already a full Brazil international. He has a big role to play for Manchester City this season and beyond. We are totally confident in his ability. He is still young and has the potential to become even better, and everyone knows that Pep is the best at helping players develop even further.”

There is no doubt that Sávio has been integral to Girona’s success this season, providing nine goals and ten assists in 27 LaLiga games. But what sort of player is Sávio? “He is left-footed, very fast, and likes to dribble outside and put the ball in the box. Sávio is the kind of player that when he has the ball, you can feel that something is going to happen,” Transfermarkt Area Manager Spain said. “Míchel, his coach, said: ‘I know they’re big words, but since the arrival of Vinicius, I haven’t seen a one-on-one talent as impressive as he is.’”