Latest reports in the media are confirming that Manchester City have pulled away in the race to sign AS Monaco midfield ace Fabinho. The Brazilian was hot on the radar of Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho and was tipped to join them this summer. Fabinho was a part of the free-flowing Monaco team that scored their way to the Ligue 1 title last season by beating Paris Saint Germain to the pole.
However, last summer saw various big clubs like Chelsea and Paris Saint Germain come swooping in for the Monaco players. The mass exodus has left the French outfit vulnerable and lacking in quality. It is going to be difficult for the defending champions to replace the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Bernardo Silva.
Bernardo Silva left for Manchester City, Kylian Mbappe went to Paris and Tiemoue Bakayoko joined Chelsea. This broke down the crux of the team and Monaco has not been the same since. it now appears that Fabinho is ready to move on and join his former team-mate Silva in England.
“My time with Monaco was good, but I feel my time here is coming to an end,” Fabinho told Lancenet. “I know that that the club’s vision is to try to finish second and qualify for the Champions League, without counting on big-name players, but on young players. I believe I have gone through this process. I arrived as an unknown, I made my name at the club, won things — but maybe I need a new challenge.”
The Brazilian, who turned 24 last October, came to Europe in the summer of 2012 by joining Real Madrid Castilla on loan. Towards the end of the season, he went on to make his debut for the Real Madrid first team.
However, it turned out to be a solo appearance and next season he was loaned out to French outfit Monaco on a season-long loan deal. He played an impressive season and was subsequently taken on loan by Monaco for the second season as well.
In the summer of 2015, Monaco made his transfer permanent. Although he started his career as a right back, his composure on the ball and ability to run with it saw him converted to a midfielder. He was a vital cog in the Monaco team last year and at the age of 23; he is one of Europe’s top young prospects now. With years of peak football ahead of him; it is no secret why the big clubs are chasing his signature.
The Citizens have a host of attacking talent but lack of depth in the deeper midfield position. Yaya Toure is reaching the twilight of his career which leaves Fernandinho and injury-prone Ilkay Gundogan as the only players who can play in the holding midfield role. With Pep known to be a manager who likes to rotate his side for matches, he could do with a player of Fabinho’s calibre and versatility in the team.
Logically for the Brazilian as well, it would make sense to join the Citizens where he would certainly be guaranteed more game time and could possibly take over the starting midfielder for Guardiola’s team.
