Manchester City sanction loan spell for senior international left-back – Exit after USA pre-season tour

Premier League champions Manchester City have reportedly sanctioned a season-long loan spell for one of their most highly-rated left-back prospects this summer.

That concerns Tomas Galvez, who will be making his first steps into senior professional football having signed for Manchester City in July 2021 after progressing through Watford’s Academy.

City describe the player as being ‘very comfortable in possession and with great technical ability’, progressing through the club’s Under-18s after 19 appearances at that age level, before completing four outings for the club’s Elite Development Squad all in his debut season.

The 2022/23 campaign brought more success in terms of appearances for Manchester City’s Under-18s and EDS teams, before making the permanent progression into Brian Barry-Murphy‘s EDS for the recently-concluded 2023/24 season.

Having now also made three appearances for Finland’s senior squad at international level, Galvez is being entrusted to step into senior club football on a permanent basis during the upcoming season, with a loan deal reportedly finalised.

That is according to the information of Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Tomas Galvez has agreed a deal to join Austrian club LASK on loan from Manchester City for the duration of the upcoming 2024/25 campaign.

There may be opportunity to see the teenager in action for Pep Guardiola’s side this summer however, with the report explaining that the 19-year-old is set to leave the Premier League champions on loan once he returns from the pre-season tour of the United States.

Left-back has been somewhat of a problem position for Manchester City over the years, however manager Pep Guardiola has found some consistency in using left-sided centre-backs in the role, supplying top level performances to his squad.

The most-recent campaign saw Josko Gvardiol stand mostly in the left-back position, with back-up from Nathan Ake whilst the Dutchman also added to the strength in depth across the central defensive roles.

Manchester City could yet turn to the transfer market for a new left-back, having sanctioned a permanent agreement for Sergio Gomez to leave the club for Real Sociedad in a €10 million deal. However, any new recruit in the role will not be a first-choice solution.