Ivan Ilic has impressed at Hellas Verona and Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Sport Witness) say he will soon become a permanent signing. The 20-year-old had no way of getting playing time at Manchester City, so he was loaned to Verona for the season and has been a regular under Ivan Djuric.
Pep Guardiola recognises his ability and wants to keep Ilic at the Etihad Stadium, but a deal is in place for Verona to land his signature for €10m. The only way City can bring him back to Manchester is by paying €20m, as per terms of the buyback clause.
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Ilic joined City from Red Star in July 2017 but has yet to make an appearance at senior level. He was loaned back to Red Star just days after his transfer and made two appearances before returning to the Etihad in December 2018.
The 20-year-old was loaned out to FK Zemun in January 2019 and made 16 appearances before returning in June. In August, Ilic was sent to NAC Breda and made 24 appearances before returning in June 2020.
He joined Verona in September and has gone on to make 22 appearances, scoring four goals and supplying two assists, so his future looks bright. Gazzetta dello Sport say that it remains to be seen whether Guardiola will have City trigger his buyback clause after Verona trigger his buying option, however, so things are still up in the air.