20 January 2024 , 20:30
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Manchester City are planning to sign Girona loanee Savio at the end of the season.
The 19-year-old Brazilian forward, who is currently registered to French side Troyes of the City Football Group, has dazzled in La Liga this term, scoring and assisting five times respectively. Savio is due to remain on loan at high-flying Girona until at least the end of the season despite widespread interest from across Europe.
But beyond that, City hope to assume control of the player and he could even get the chance to shine in pre-season ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
The Premier League champions have previously utilised the City Group to build the stock of their young players including Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz, who spent time on loan at Girona between 2017 and 2019 before being sold for £15million.
There are also several other City links within Girona's squad. Full-back Yan Couto could earn the treble-winners a credible fee this summer as he continues to shine while former defender Eric Garcia has impressed on loan from Barcelona.
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Sources suggest City's thinking is that even if Savio does not make the grade under Pep Guardiola - he is a player that could earn them significant profit in the future.
Speaking in December, the attacker outlined his burning desire to work with Guardiola, stating: "I have the goal of playing for City, yes. I think that when I was hired my goal was always to get to City and I'm working towards that.
"But I have to keep my focus on Girona and do things well to get there. If one day I arrive at City, you can be sure that I did things well at Girona, as I am doing. I want to continue working here so that one day I can reach City, which is my reference point.
"[Guardiola and I] never had any contact, I only saw him up close. He hired Kayky, who was from Fluminense, Gabriel Jesus, so he seems to get along well with Brazilians. It's letting things happen naturally so that, God willing, one day, he can train me."
Douglas Luiz previously spent time on loan at Girona from Manchester City (Denis Doyle)Savio predominately plays as a left-winger and is vastly experienced for Brazil at youth level having featured for their U20, U18s and U16s.
He, who joined Troyes from from Atletico Mineiro in a deal worth in the region of £5million in 2022, spent last season on loan at PSV Eindhoven in Holland where he only made six Eredivisie appearances, assisting twice.
City No.2 Stefan Ortega has also been attracting interest and could depart the club at the end of the season.
The same applies to left-back Sergio Gomez, who now looks set to remain at the Etihad until the summer when his future is due to be reassessed.