Frank Christian
Manchester City has officially secured Savio for a whopping £40 million, marking their first signing of the season. The Brazilian winger joined the Premier League champions with a five-year contract after an impressive season with Girona in La Liga.
Savio’s outstanding performance, contributing nine goals and 10 assists in La Liga, helped Girona secure a historic UEFA Champions League qualification. This success also earned him a spot in Brazil’s Copa America squad, where he scored his first senior international goal.
The transfer raised eyebrows given Girona’s connection to the City Football Group. With recent UEFA rulings on multi-club ownership involving City and Manchester United, questions arose regarding the legitimacy of the deal.
UEFA’s Stance on Multi-Club Ownership
UEFA recently permitted City and United to participate in club competitions despite concerns over CFG’s ownership of City and INEOS’ control at Old Trafford. UEFA prohibits clubs with shared ownership from competing in the same tournaments, presenting challenges for City regarding Girona and for United due to INEOS’ involvement with Nice in Ligue 1.
There have been significant adjustments at Girona and Nice to limit investors’ influence, ensuring compliance with UEFA regulations. Ownership shares in Girona and Nice have been transferred to independent trustees overseen by UEFA. Both clubs agreed not to engage in player transfers between July 2024 and September 2025.
Why Manchester City Could Sign Savio
Manchester City was able to sign Savio as he was not a Girona player but a loanee from French club Troyes, also affiliated with the CFG but not competing in the Champions League. Savio reverted to Troyes’ ownership when his loan at Girona ended on June 30, entitling them to the £40m transfer fee.
Unlike Girona’s successful stint in La Liga, Troyes faced relegation to France’s third tier and encountered opposition from fans regarding CFG ownership. However, a reprieve came as Ajaccio’s relegation saved Troyes from further demotion.
Anticipated Role for Savio at Manchester City
With Riyad Mahrez’s departure and limited right-wing options, Pep Guardiola views Savio as a solution for this position. While Savio showcased his skills on the left at Girona, City has depth in that area with players like Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku. Guardiola anticipates that Savio can offer a different dimension on the right.
Savio’s participation in the upcoming preseason games is uncertain due to his Copa America commitments, with a potential debut against Manchester United in the Community Shield on August 10.
Manchester City’s 2024 Preseason Fixture Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kickoff time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 23 | Celtic | Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, United States | 7:30 p.m. |
| July 27 | AC Milan | Yankee Stadium, New York, United States | 6:00 p.m. |
| July 30 | Barcelona | Camping World Stadium, Orlando, United States | 7:00 p.m. |
| August 3 | Chelsea | Ohio Stadium, Columbus, United States | 5:30 p.m. |
| August 10 | Manchester United | Wembley Stadium, London, England | 10:00 a.m. |
