Manchester City to outbid Barcelona for Benfica full-back in the ‘coming days’ – report – City Watch
Manchester City could return to Benfica for a second summer signing with Correio da Manhã reporting that Pep Guardiola will make a bid for right-back Nélson Semedo in the ‘coming days’.
City’s interest in the 23-year-old was first reported by O Jogo in May, but links quickly cooled with Tottenham’s Kyle Walker appearing to be the main target for the position.
However, CM are adamant that with Barcelona offering well below Benfica’s asking price for the Portugal international, City are now the main candidates to sign him with an offer to follow. Barcelona have proposed €30 million, well short of Benfica’s €50 million asking price, which itself is lower than the player’s €60 million release clause.
Bayern Munich are also keen on Semedo, but it could be City who win this race if this report is to be believed. It’s certainly a story to treat with some healthy scepticism as there is no reason to believe the Kyle Walker pursuit is dead yet, despite problems agreeing a fee with the London club. And Juventus veteran Dani Alves appears to be the man identified for the other right-back spot.
City are expected to bring in two right-backs this summer after Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Jesus Navas were all let go. Youngster Pablo Maffeo is expected to return to Girona FC on loan following their promotion to La Liga.
Benfica’s left-back Álex Grimaldo has also been monitored by Man City, while goalkeeper Ederson Moraes was recently signed for £39.4 million. Neighbours Manchester United have also snapped up Benfica centre-back Victor Lindelöf in a big money deal, and the Portuguese side continue to be one of Europe’s biggest producers of talent for richer clubs.
