Hugo Viana will be looking forward to making the step-up from Sporting CP to a club like Manchester City that belongs in the upper echelon of world football.
It was reported in October that Viana rejected Newcastle and West Ham — two clubs who were keen on appoint him as their sporting director.
Pep Guardiola will speak to Hugo Viana next month or in the next few weeks, as per the Catalan tactician’s own recent admission.
Replacing a figure as crucial as Txiki Begiristain in Manchester City’s history, all eyes will be on every possible move he makes at the club.
However, Hugo Viana showcased at Sporting CP that he has one of the most shrewdest minds in the transfer market across European football.
Alongside Ruben Amorim, the 41-year-old helped Sporting conquer Portuguese football again.
- Who is Hugo Viana? Get familiar with the favourite to replace Txiki Begiristain as Man City Director of Football
Hugo Viana will try to instantly seal new Ederson contract at Man City
But the pressure at the Etihad Stadium is one that will attract attention from fans and pundits across world football. Such is the brand that Pep Guardiola’s side have managed to build over the years.
With Ederson’s contract at Manchester City active until 2026, his future will remain unresolved until he puts pen to paper at the club. At the end of the campaign, the six-time Premier League winner will only have one year left on his deal.
Speaking to transfer expert Graeme Bailey, he revealed that tying the 30-year-old down to a new contract will be one of Hugo Viana’s main priorities after his tenure at Manchester City begins.
Bailey said: “City were caught on the hop last summer when Ederson was considering moving to Saudi [Arabia]. The deals couldn’t be agreed with the clubs but I think City just assess it and they just think he’s one of the best in the world. Ederson will be addressed towards the summer.”
“If he doesn’t want to stay, I think he will go next summer. It is an area City are looking at and assessing. Obviously, [Stefan] Ortega has been linked elsewhere but he won’t be going anywhere in January for sure. But it’s an area City are looking at and scouting.”
“It’s an ongoing scenario with the whole squad, you’re always scouting, updating it’s like the NFL, they’ve got their big board in case someone wants to leave or someone breaks a leg, they’ve got a goalkeeping board to see who they like. They’re looking at a few. They’d like Ederson to sign another deal and I think that will be their priority. It might be one of the first things or Huge Viana on his to-do list.”
Latest Ederson confirmation about his Man City future
Ederson addressed his future at Manchester City after the FA Community Shield by revealing that he had decided to stay at the club after being linked to clubs in the Saudi Pro League.
“It’s over. I spoke with some players, the coach, director, everyone. I talked to my family and it was a joint decision. We’ll stay more years at City.”
“The media says many things, sometimes inventing a little more. But I’ve already decided my future, especially after the conversation I had with [Pep] Guardiola. This season, I’m totally focused at City with my teammates in search of more titles.”
Pep Guardiola revealed the reason Ederson stayed at Manchester City is due to no suitable offer being presented by the suitors in question.
Ederson disclosed Guardiola convinced him to stay at City after a few conversations between the pair.
One way Hugo Viana can instantly make himself a favourite amongst the Manchester City fanbase is by persuading their legendary goalkeeper to sign on the dotted line.
