A Manchester City transfer target has confirmed he’s leaving his club, but it won’t be to link up with Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City have enjoyed a strong summer transfer window so far, even if Premier League champions Liverpool have spent more than double and could still sign Alexander Isak.
Pep Guardiola has rebuilt his squad, with the bulk of major signings arriving in June in the shapes of Rayan Ait Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki.
James Trafford will soon join them when he completes a £27m move from Burnley after City decided to match Newcastle United’s bid and the goalkeeper opted for a return to the Etihad Stadium.
With a new goalkeeper arriving and Ederson staying, there’s not much left for City to do this summer other than sell the likes of Jack Grealish and James McAtee, who aren’t in Guardiola’s plans.
One position that could still do with strengthening, though, is right-back, but it has now been confirmed they will miss out on a possible target in Flamengo’s Wesley Franca.
Wesley says goodbye to Flamengo ahead of Roma transfer
The ‘rapid’ Wesley first emerged as a City target in May, with it being suggested the Blues preferred the Brazilian to Tino Livramento.
Liverpool were also said to be eyeing Wesley, with a £25m-£30m price tag placed on his head by his club.
Everton were also working on a move but then Roma entered the race and the Italian side have now won it.
Fabrizio Romano reported that Wesley to Roma was done on Monday and now the full-back has said goodbye to Flamengo, all but confirming the move.
As reported by Gianluca Di Mazio, Wesley said: “These were intense years of struggle, conquests, learning, and growth. Flamengo gave me the chance to live the dream of millions.
“I leave with a heart full of gratitude and the certainty of having given my all. Thank you for everything.”
Will Manchester City sign a right-back in the summer transfer window?
A right-back signing would complete City’s summer perfectly, but options are now running out.
Wesley’s move to Roma takes the 21-year-old off the table and a move for Livramento is looking increasingly tough to pull off this summer.
Newcastle are under immense pressure after Isak made it clear he wants to leave, but Eddie Howe has defiantly said he wants to keep his best players.
After such a terrible window in failing to sign their top targets and now the Isak drama, they are unlikely to allow another of their best players in Livramento leave.
PSV Eindhoven’s Kiliann Sildillia has also been linked, but otherwise, few names are jumping out as possible signings this summer. City might not get their right-back.
