Manchester City Star Contemplates Emotional Return to Boyhood Club Benfica
A key Manchester City player has voiced a wish to play in his homeland again, stirring speculation about a possible return to his youth club Benfica in the future.
Jamie Bailey
- 2023-12-27
- Updated 07:49 AM ET
(NewsNibs) - The unnamed player's current deal with Manchester City is set to last until 2026, placing him at the heart of the team's plans. Despite the interest outlined by the Portuguese press about a potential return to Benfica, the player noted that such a move might not be imminent due to the contractual obligations binding him to the English side. He acknowledged the gap in financial prowess between Portuguese clubs and those in England, Spain, Germany, and France, suggesting that a move might not be financially feasible for Portuguese teams, including his former club Benfica.
Guardiola's Stance on Player's Future
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola deems the player an integral component of the squad. Guardiola's high valuation of the player, believed to be over 50 million euros, places him beyond the affordable reach of most Portuguese clubs, including the player's former academy, Benfica. Guardiola's appreciation for the player's talents and contributions is evident as he has rebuffed interests from other major clubs in past transfer windows, including Barcelona and teams in Saudi Arabia.
The player's affiliation with Benfica runs deep, having spent eight formative years in their academy system and making three appearances for the first team before transferring to Monaco in 2014. His impressive stint in Monaco led to a high-profile transfer to Manchester City in 2017. Since then, he has accumulated 328 appearances, marking his territory as a keystone player within Guardiola's ambitious City lineup.
Despite this emotional affinity for Benfica, the player remains committed to Manchester City. The timing and financial hurdles of such a transfer would make his return to Benfica challenging in the near term. Nevertheless, the desire for a homecoming remains a talking point for the player, the fans, and the media alike as they keep a watchful eye on his career trajectory.
