“Manchester City Star has left Ethihad Stadium this afternoon the signing of Brazilian international and Girona Star Savinho

After spending time on loan at another sister club, Collin Millar of The Athletic remarked on X that the method by which City was allowed to recruit Savinho from a sister club he had never played for would be problematic inside the top game of football. They are all three clubs in the City Football Group.

In 2022, Savinho became a record-breaking acquisition for Troyes, costing €12.5 million (£10.5m/$13.6m). However, instead of bolstering the French Ligue 1 team’s position, he was immediately loaned to PSV Eindhoven. Troyes suffered from his absence, resulting in a disappointing 2022–2023 season. Following this, Savinho signed a loan deal with Girona for the 2023–24 season, where he had an incredible impact, scoring 19 goals and providing 19 assists, leading the team to the Champions League. Meanwhile, Troyes faced consecutive relegations. Now, Savinho is being eyed by Manchester City for a transfer worth £33.7 million ($43.5 million), marking him as a target for the premier team in the City Football Group (CFG).

The City Football Group operates the most well-known multi-club model in the world. Since its establishment in 2013, the group has expanded to include 11 clubs across four continents, along with several partner clubs with which CFG has less direct involvement. Savinho’s situation is not unique within CFG; other players have moved between CFG clubs without significantly impacting their original teams. For example, Aaron Mooy joined Manchester City from Melbourne City in 2016, only to be loaned out immediately and sold the following year. Similarly, Mix Diskerud, after arriving from New York City, spent three years on Manchester City’s roster without making a substantial impact.

As Manchester City looks to continue its dominance in English football by aiming for a fifth consecutive Premier League title in the 2024–25 season, the club faces uncertainty. Manager Pep Guardiola’s contract is set to expire next summer, and he is reportedly a target for the England national team, suggesting that a significant change could be on the horizon for the club.