It looks as if we are about to make our third signing of the summer transfer window.
What’s the word?
City have been busy this summer, bringing in the likes of Nathan Ake from Bournemouth and Ferran Torres from Valencia in a bid to recapture the Premier League title that Liverpool won last season. Also, to establish a solid charge on the Champions League after what was a disappointing campaign last season.
Could Diego Rosa break into the first-team?
Yes
No
But manager Pep Guardiola has not wasted any time in trying to bridge the gap with the Merseysiders with his two high-profile signings, but we have brought someone else in that could be one for the future.
Diego Rosa, a 17-year-old central midfielder who plays for Gremio B in Brazil, pictured himself on Instagram signing a contract along with his parents, and the Brazilian media enclosed the details of the transfer.
They stated that we have paid a transfer fee of £2.65m upfront – with another £1.75m being added when the deal is completed in January and a further £800k in January 2022.
I don’t expect him to get an opportunity in the first team just yet, and could be loaned out to another City Football Group team.
One to watch closely
Rosa has a sparkling reputation in South America and has turned a lot of heads in the media. We had been linked with a move for the Brazil U17 international since July and will not be able to sign a professional contract with us until he turns 18.
While Rosa is relatively unknown at this point, he managed to win the U17 World Cup with Brazil last summer and has been featuring regularly for the Gremio U20 side where he impressed our scouts.
This puts him on a similar journey to what Phil Foden previously embarked on, having won the same youth tournament and eventually broke into Guardiola’s side last season, playing a considerable amount of games.
If he comes in and performs in the same manner as Foden did with us, then Rosa will have a long and successful career at City. With South American teammates such as Gabriel Jesus and Sergio Aguero, what a duo to train alongside with week in, week out, and will help him settle in.