Manchester City have now confirmed the signing of Brazil winger Savinho from French side ES Troyes AC, despite Arsenal’s previous interest in him.
Savinho was one of the best players in La Liga last season as he played a starring role for Girona as they secured a historic top-four finish.
The 20-year-old’s form earned him a call-up to the Brazil squad for the Copa America, after a campaign in which he dazzled with his speed and dribbling, whilst also recording 11 goals and 10 assists in 41 matches.
The winger was targeted by Arsenal last year, but has now completed a move to Man City for a reported £30.8m.
For a top-class young winger and one of the most exciting options in his position, this appears to be a bargain fee, but there is more to it than meets the eye, as he moved within the City Football Group, which was his motivation for turning Arsenal down.
Savinho explains why he turned down Arsenal in favour of City Football Group
Speaking to Spanish outlet SPORT in September 2023, Savinho revealed that before he moved to Troyes in 2022, from Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro, Arsenal were interested in him.
“Yes. Arsenal wanted me and also the Brazilian Bragantino,” he revealed.
“Yes. I knew that Troyes was the City group and I thought that by working I could one day reach Manchester City. Of course, I will have to do very well here in Girona.”
Savinho moved to Troyes, who were in Ligue 1 at the time, purely on the basis that they were part of the City Football Group. He has now gotten his wish, with his move to the Etihad, but Mikel Arteta will be incredibly frustrated about how this deal came about.
Savinho transfer to Manchester City highlights problem with multi-club ownership, Arsenal could not compete
Arsenal are in the market for a winger, and Savinho’s ability to play on both sides could have made him a perfect addition this summer. However, there was absolutely no chance that they could land him because of the City Football Group.
Savinho chose to move to Troyes over Arsenal, but he did not play a single minute for the French side. He spent time on loan at PSV Eindhoven before joining fellow CFG side Girona, where he thrived last season.
If he was a Troyes player independent of the CFG, he could have been available for the French side, or for clubs including Arsenal to bid for him. Instead, City have landed him at a bargain price.
Troyes suffered back-to-back relegations from the French top flight whilst players with Savinho’s quality were loaned out to clubs above them, and City gained almost exclusive access to their best talents. Once Savinho had made his decision to reject Arsenal for the City Football Group, there was no chance of landing him once he developed into the player he is now.
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