Man City confident of finalising Savio signing despite rule breach concerns
- City negotiating the signing of winger Savio from Troyes, who are also owned by the City Football Group
- Deal has prompted questions from fans over transfers between two linked clubs
- Premier League prepared to conduct fair market valuation investigation
By Tom Gott, Ben Jacobs
Manchester City are confident they will be able to satisfy concerns from Premier League clubs and complete the proposed signing of winger Savio from Troyes, 90min understands.
City are in talks with Ligue 2 side Troyes about a deal for Savio, who has dazzled on loan with La Liga hopefuls Girona this season, but the deal has been complicated by the fact Troyes are part of the City Football Group (CFG). Girona is as well, but with Savio only on loan there, the Spanish club are not a factor.
Sources have confirmed to 90min that the Premier League would likely conduct a fair market valuation of the proposed transfer if there are any concerns about the deal, which City stress has not yet been fully agreed anyway.
Once City confirm the final price involved in the deal, the Premier League will make a decision on whether to investigate. Should there be concerns that the fee is too low (benefiting City), or perhaps even too high (benefiting Troyes), then league officials will launch proceedings and City are happy to cooperate.
Reports have suggested that Savio could be valued at around €30m (£25.7m) and any fee which comes close to this number is likely to receive 'approval' from the Premier League.
City are well aware of the situation, but those in charge at the Etihad Stadium are confident they will meet all the requirements at the first time of asking.
In January, Premier League clubs narrowly voted against blocking plans to stop dealings between two clubs owned by the same organisations, with the subject at that time being Newcastle United's proposed business with the Saudi Arabian clubs also owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), and so there are no legal barriers to City's proposed move for Savio.
Savio joined Troyes from Atletico Mineiro in January 2022, becoming the French side's record signing when he joined in a deal worth up to €12.5m, but he has never played for the club. He immediately joined PSV Eindhoven on loan while Troyes were relegated to France's second tier.
Last summer, Savio was loaned to Girona, where the 19-year-old has impressed with a return of five goals and seven assists in 23 games for the surprise title contenders.
Troyes, meanwhile, are locked in a relegation battle as they seek to avoid falling straight down to the third tier of French football.
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