Truth behind Manchester City’s links to Joao Felix and Eberechi Eze revealed

Reports in recent days and weeks have linked Manchester City with sensational moves for the likes of Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix and Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.

Rumours have largely emerged as a direct result of Julian Alvarez’s imminent move to Atletico Madrid, with the two clubs involved having reached an agreement on a transfer fee by Tuesday morning.

It is widely understood that Manchester City have accepted a proposal from the La Liga giants totalling €95 million, made up of an initial €75 million transfer fee as well as a further €20 million in potential add-ons.

It remains to be seen whether the Premier League champions will re-enter the transfer market to seek either a direct replacement for their Argentina international, or a new addition in terms of personnel within the first-team squad.

As such, that possibility has now seen the club linked with two names in creative positions this summer, with a new report offering clarification as to whether either profile is a realistic possibility for the club in the coming weeks.

Despite recent rumours linking Manchester City with a potential swap deal for Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, as part of Julian Alvarez’s move to the Spanish capital, The Athletic’s Sam Lee reveals it was not an option the Premier League champions wanted to pursue.

Additionally, and while City were linked to the player both last summer and during the ongoing summer market, the same report clarifies that there has been no recent movement concerning Crystal Palace and England international Eberechi Eze.

Other names linked with Manchester City interest this summer include the likes of Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes, Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala, and RB Leipzig’s Dani Olmo, with neither of the trio expected to arrive at the Etihad Stadium.

In the case of the former, City rejected the opportunity to trigger the 26-year-old’s St James’ Park release clause worth £100 million and expiring in late June, whilst the Bavarian club are expected to stand firm on an astronomical asking price for Musiala.

Dani Olmo has been a player admired by Manchester City for several years, and whilst there were tenuous enquiries last summer, reports of bids made this time around have always remained wide of the mark. The Spaniard is now set to join FC Barcelona.