Manchester City scouts to attend huge European clash alongside representatives from Liverpool and Manchester United

Scouting officials from Manchester City are expected to be present at a huge clash taking place in Portugal on Thursday night, according to local media reports.

The Premier League champions are likely eyeing a busy upcoming summer transfer window, with several changes expected in various positions and specifically the midfield roles following struggles in recent seasons.

Reinforcements in defence could also not be ruled out, although with Kalvin Phillips expected to depart Manchester City on a permanent move this summer, many believe that Etihad officials will seek a defensive midfield recruit.

Their search of potential new names within the game is set to take them to Portugal this week, with a highly-anticipated clash between two of the country’s best teams on the agenda for most of Europe’s premier clubs.

That is according to the information of Portuguese newspaper Record, as relayed by Scouts in Attendance, who report that City will have members from their scouting department in attendance at Sporting against Benfica in the semi-final of Taça de Portugal on Thursday.

Those from City will unsurprisingly not be alone in their attendance, with Chelsea, Liverpool, Leicester City, and Manchester United also expected to be at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon this week.

Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund finalise an illustrious list of clubs attending the contest, which features some of the most exciting talents in the Portuguese game at present.

Both clubs going head-to-head held an interest in one of Manchester City’s most exciting prospects last summer, with Oscar Bobb a name being considered by the iconic Portuguese clubs.

However, following an exemplary breakthrough season within Pep Guardiola’s squad, Bobb is now viewed as a permanent first-team talent, signing a new five-year deal running until 2029 earlier this week.

João Neves is the most recent name to be linked with interest from Manchester City, with the Benfica midfielder viewed as one of the most highly-rated names to emerge from the Lisbon-based academy system in recent years.

Whether or not the 19-year-old is the name on the lips of City scouts on Thursday evening remains to be seen, however Etihad officials will almost certainly be monitoring his progress throughout the ongoing season.