Manchester City are on the cusp of completing their first summer signing as Fabinho is closing on a move to the Etihad Stadium.
According to Toby Gannon of the Sun, Manchester City are closing in on the signing of Monaco’s Brazilian star Fabinho. The Citizens are expected to make him their first signing of the summer, and have beaten rivals United to secure his services.
Fabinho moved to Monaco on a temporary basis in the summer of 2013 where he was until 2015 before putting pen to paper to a permanent contract. He joined the French side for a fee of £5.1 million, but has seen his value skyrocket ever since.
The 23-year-old is extremely versatile and can operate as a right back as well as a holding midfielder. He has a good range of passes, and is equally adept on and off the ball. His positional play is exceptional, and he would be a vital signing for Pep Guardiola.
The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss loves having versatile players in his roster, and Fabinho perfectly fits the bill for him. For the first time in his managerial career, Guardiola failed to win a single trophy in the entire season, and will be looking to get his hands on silverware next term.
Manchester City did not have the best of seasons in 2016/17 because Guardiola inherited a squad with ageing full backs and lack of quality in midfield, particularly with Fernandino being used as a full-back.
Fabinho’s arrival could see Fernandinho return to midfield and see the Monaco man play as a right-back, or he could partner his Brazilian compatriot in a midfield pivot, with Yaya Toure expected to leave.
The player reportedly has an agreement with a key member of the Monaco hierarchy, and can leave the club if the right offer comes in. He has been considering his options, and the time may have come for him to make a move.
City are expected to meet Monaco’s £25 million valuation of the player, and complete his signing before the involvement of other top European clubs. Their rivals Manchester United too, were heavily linked with the player in January.
Jose Mourinho’s side has under-performed this season, and the Portuguese is expected to overhaul the squad in the summer. He had reportedly identified Fabinho as a target, but is in serious jeopardy of missing out on his services.
