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Man City sign Ruben Dias in club-record £64m transfer as Otamendi joins Benfica

Man City
Man City

Ruben Dias has become Manchester City’s all-time record signing after completing a £64.3million transfer from Benfica.

Nicolas Otamendi has moved in the opposite direction for £13.7m.

Dias takes Pep Guardiola’s spending on centre-backs to more than £100m during the summer transfer window, following the £41m arrival of Nathan Ake.

The 23-year-old‘s move ends a two-year pursuit by City to lure him to the Etihad, with Guardiola firming up the move after dropping interest in Kalidou Koulibaly, Jules Kounde and Jose Gimenez.

City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “Ruben is a player we have admired for some time and we have been impressed with how he has progressed at Benfica.

“He has developed into a real leader and as a defender, he has all the attributes we are looking for. He is strong in the air, good in one v one situations and technically, he is very good, so we are confident he can thrive in our system.

“He is young, but has gained valuable experience at a big European club in Benfica and we’re really pleased we’ve been able to sign him. He is another talented addition to the squad and someone who is only going to get better working under Pep.”

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Dias overtakes £62.8m Rodri as the City’s most expensive signing ever.

The former Manchester United, Arsenal and Juventus target added: “To have the opportunity to join a club like Manchester City is a fantastic opportunity for me and one I couldn’t turn down.

“Their success speaks for itself. They have been the dominant team in England over the last few years, playing an attacking brand of football which I feel suits my own game.

“It is really exciting to be part of such a talented squad and to play for a world class manager like Pep Guardiola, who has a proven track record of developing young players like myself.

“I believe I can improve here, at a club whose ambitions match my own and I will give everything to be successful and win titles.”

(Man City)
(Man City)

City have monitored Dias for more than two years - dating back to Vincent Kompany’s time at the club.

He was identified as a replacement for the legendary captain last summer when his release clause was £60m.

He went on to sign a new deal, which increased that buyout to £80m.

With Otamendi heading the opposite way, City are convinced it represents good value for what they consider to be one of the most promising talents in Europe.

Koulibaly had been a leading target, but City walked away when refusing to meet Napoli’s valuation of more than £70m for a 29-year-old.

It’s understood Kounde was considered more of a gamble than Dias, while they had no intention of meeting Atletico Madrid’s asking price of £78m for Gimenez.

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