From Belgium: Manchester City hold concrete interest in PSV Eindhoven forward available for €35 million plus bonuses

Reports from Belgian football sources have confirmed interest from Manchester City in one of the country’s most exciting talents emerging on the top-level European scene.

Transfer-focussed officials from the Premier League champions are well underway in their preparations for the forthcoming 2024/25 season, and specifically the transfer market that reopens for the summer in early June.

Alongside a clear necessity for midfield recruitment, City officials do not appear to be opposed to strengthening elsewhere in Pep Guardiola’s line-up, with the attacking roles also subject to fresh talent for the right market opportunity.

Links to attacking players have been few and far between however, but the latest information has tied Manchester City bosses with an interest in yet another Belgian forward, following on from the signing of Jeremy Doku from Stade Rennais.

The 21-year-old Antwerp-born winger has shown signs of incredible promise at various stages of the ongoing season, while there is a feeling that he should be afforded more time to settle into Pep Guardiola’s ways of playing and demands from his side on a tactical front.

Now, as reported by Belgian football insider Sacha Tavolieri, it is confirmed that Manchester City recruitment officials have already assessed the performance levels of PSV Eindhoven forward Johan Bakayoko, returning a ‘positive report’ on the player to the Club.

“So, it is true that there is an interest from Manchester City. That’s for sure,” Tavolieri confirmed on Thursday. “Because, indeed, recruiters (from Manchester City) have already gone to see Johan Bakayoko. And they issued a positive report. It stops there.”

Continuing on the financial details of any possible move, Tavolieri dismissed reports from Germany suggesting that a fee north of €50 million would be required in order to sign the 20-year-old forward, whilst also confirming the absence of a release clause in his current deal.

“Johan Bakayoko’s contract, which runs until June 2026, does not contain any release clause. There are no release clauses that allow the departure this summer of Johan Bakayoko.”

Tavolieri continued, “That said, the €50 million to €60 million mentioned also, are not a reality, he could on the other hand leave PSV for a sum of around 35 million euros plus bonuses.”

This is a developing story. More to follow.