Manchester City are reportedly lining up a replacement for their outgoing director of football, Txiki Begiristain, with the individual who signed former Coventry City striker Viktor Gyokeres for Portuguese heavyweights Sporting CP. Begiristain, 60, is set to depart City at the conclusion of this season, but his successor is expected to commence work early next year during a six-month transition period.
Reports suggest an agreement is already in place with his successor, who is well-regarded within European football. Hugo Viana fits the description, and Fabrizio Romano has stated that the Sporting director of football is City’s preferred candidate to take over from Begiristain.
This potential appointment could spell trouble for Arsenal and their aspirations of signing Gyokeres in future transfer windows due to his existing professional relationship with the forward. Viana has been with Sporting for the past six years, and last year he travelled to England as part of the Lisbon club’s negotiations to sign Gyokeres from Coventry.
After the forward’s inaugural season in Portugal, the director reiterated this summer that “we are happy with him” following an “excellent” debut season. However, he also recognised that “football is dynamic” and “an offer may or may not come” for the forward.
It seems that no bid was made, or at least none substantial enough to warrant a sale, but Viana might contemplate making one himself if he transitions to City, reports Football London.
Following the sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid this summer and failing to secure a replacement, the current Premier League champions are left without a recognised substitute for Erling Haaland. It’s not entirely out of the question that they might use the record-breaking £82million fee received from the Spanish titans to trigger the £84million release clause in Gyokeres’ contract, particularly if Viana, who is heading to City, has any influence on the matter.
