Manchester City forward target pens new deal with staggering €175 million release clause

Pep Guardiola and Etihad Stadium transfer chiefs may have to look elsewhere in their hunt for a new wide-forward this summer, following a new development.

It is understood that officials within Manchester City are keen on further strengthening the attacking options for the Catalan coach next season, as they look for talent that can apply pace to an already technical forward line.

Last summer saw the departures of both Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling to Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea respectively, meaning Pep Guardiola was left with limited options when it came to pace in his attack.

Julian Alvarez has been deployed as the runner on numerous occasions this season, but while Jack Grealish and Riyad Mahrez have also performed to a very high-level, there have been times when Guardiola has been left ruing a lack of speed.

AC Milan’s Rafael Leao had been a player that Manchester City were monitoring several times this season, however a fresh update on the rising forward is likely to shift the Premier League champions’ attention elsewhere.

As detailed by transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, Leao has now signed a new long-term deal with AC Milan until the summer of 2028 – issuing a major blow to a number of European clubs showing a keen interest in the winger, including Manchester City.

Along with the Portugal international’s net salary of €5 million per season plus add-ons, the most damaging update to potential suitors is the player’s new €175 million release clause embedded into his contract.

When it comes to alternative options, names reported by the media have been few and far between, although another possible option also operates in Italy’s premier division of football and was recently crowned a Serie A Champion.

That name is Napoli’s Georgian attacker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – who is likely to command a fee in excess of £100 million, should the Naples club even consider a sale in the same summer as a possible exit for star striker Victor Osimhen.

For now, Manchester City are understood to remain hunting central midfield options, while the wide attacking roles are expected to be a secondary focus and very much dependent on market opportunities and transfer budget available.