After months of speculation and With just over a week to go until the transfer window closes, Manchester City’s search for a defender is over with the signing of Rúben Dias.
The Benfica defender appears set to join City as a second senior centre-back following the earlier summer capture of Nathan Ake from Bournemouth.
Guardiola is an admirer of Ruben and have been tracking the Portugal international for months now – 18 months be precise.
According to reputed journalist Fabrizio Romano via The Guardian, City have agreed a €55m (£50.1m) fee with Benfica for the centre-back Rúben Dias, with Nicolás Otamendi heading the other way as part of the deal.
The report adds the Portugal international who has already agreed a five-year contract will now fly to Manchester to complete his medical and should be unveiled later this week.
Romano claims an agreement was struck between Benfica and Otamendi following the Portuguese club’s 2-0 win over Moreirense on Saturday evening, which has led to Dias travelling to England to join City
Otamendi need to find an agreement with City by receiving a ‘significant amount’ upon leaving, making it easier for him to accept a reduced salary at Benfica. The 32-year-old currently earns €7M per year at the Etihad – a fee that appears to be unthinkable for the Portuguese
A product of the Benfica youth academy, the 23-year-old Dias broke into the first-team in 2017 and has gone from strength to strength with every passing year.
Dias has already racked up 136 appearances for the Portuguese giants, scoring 11 goals. He has also racked up 19 appearances for the Portuguese national team as well. (h/t Transfermarkt).
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Ruben Dias could be the best possible defender that fits the team well and has the chance to make a decade-long impact at the Etihad.
In reaction to the report shared on Twitter by Man City Xtra, Man City fans have expressed their thoughts and opinions with many happy to see the defender at the Etihad.
Very good deal🔵
— abdعبد🇩🇰💙🇪🇺 (@adamwaeva) September 27, 2020
So the final fee is 40m€ for dias what a steal
— ♧ (@Mus7xb) September 27, 2020
Great signing we need that physicality it’s been missing since vinny and yaya days someone other than laporte to aim for on set pieces
— Andy (@AndyDadofleo) September 27, 2020
Wasn’t the ideal option, but looks like a Kompany-type, more than Koundé. Still hope we sign Upamecano/Kounde next year/this January and sell Stones, unless this guy suddenly turns into a prime Kompany/Van Dijk.
— 민선기 (@bhssz70) September 27, 2020
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