Manchester City have set their sights on signing Portuguese defender, Ruben Dias from Portuguese club, SL Benfica. The deal which is expected to be sealed this week is said to be in the region of £65 million.
As part of the deal, City’s Argentina centre-back Nicolas Otamendi, 32, is believed to be moving in the opposite direction. The deal involving Otamendi is expected to fetch City around £13.7 million.
Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola has been on the lookout for a right-sided central defender since Vincent Kompany left the club last summer. Dias, 23, was captain for Benfica’s win over Moreirense on Saturday (September 26) and hugged team-mates and sporting director Rui Costa at the final whistle.
After the match, Dias – who had scored his 12th goal for the club in 133 appearances – told Benfica TV: “It was a very important game for me and being able to mark it with a goal was very special.
“I believe that everyone already has an idea why I hugged Rui Costa.”
While Dias’ transfer is yet to be completed, only a few minor details remain to be agreed.
The failure to secure a replacement for former skipper Kompany was seen as a major reason for City not putting up more of a challenge to Liverpool in last season’s Premier League title race. Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, 29, was initially City’s top target this summer, but the Italian club wanted £80 million for the Senegal defender, which City was not prepared to pay.
Running royalty is heading to Cape Town next month to race the Sanlam Cape Town…
Lloyd Bosman finally brought the Gun Run to Pacaltsdorp with an emphatic victory in the…
Philani ‘PK’ Sengce defended his OUTsurance Gun Run Trail title in perfect Cape Town spring…
Over the years, African players have been key to the performances of the world's top…
Two under-the-radar runners came up trumps in big ultra-trail races at home and abroad, both…
Two under-the-radar runners came up trumps in big ultra-trail races internationally and in South Africa…