Man City line up Kevin de Bruyne’s ‘dream’ replacement transfer… but £47m release clause takes a YEAR to come into effect
MANCHESTER CITY have reportedly found their ‘dream’ replacement for Kevin de Bruyne.
But the star’s £47million release clause won’t take effect for another year.
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Pep Guardiola suffered a severe blow when his lucky playmaker pulled an Achilles tendon in Friday’s Premier League opener at Burnley.
The Belgian is expected to be out until Christmas and possibly undergo surgery.
And that has prompted City to sign another creative star to strengthen the squad ahead of the transfer deadline.
Now Gianluca DiMarzia The Etihad club have reportedly identified Dani Olmo as a viable option.
The Spaniard, like Guardiola, is Catalan and usually shines in the role of number 10 but can also play on the wing.
Olmo showed his skills with seven goals last season, including one for Spain at the World Cup, and has already started this term with a phenomenal hat-trick against Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich in the German Super Cup.
However, finances could prove to be a stumbling block.
Olmo signed a new contract with RB Leipzig in June, tying him until 2027 – and a £57million release clause comes into effect at the end of the season.
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However, with City keen to sign Olmo as soon as possible and Leipzig reluctant to sell one of their stars, the Bundesliga side could ask around £70m-85m.
Guardiola is also a big fan of West Ham playmaker Lucas Paqueta and City turned to the Hammers ahead of De Bruyne’s injury amid uncertainty over Bernardo Silva’s future.
The Brazilian has reportedly already signed a six-year deal at Manchester.
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But City’s latest offer of £95m has been rejected as the Hammers hope for a whopping £110m.
With De Bruyne unavailable for last night’s Uefa Super Cup showdown against Sevilla, Phil Foden has been called up in the usual number 17 midfield position.
He lined up Mateo Kovacic and Rodri in the middle, with Jack Grealish and goalscorer Cole Palmer on either side of Erling Haaland.
City took all five penalties before Nemanja Gudelj hit the bar to give the treble winners their fourth trophy of the summer.