Skip to content

Man City in talks for 'new Lionel Messi' Thiago Almada with Velez Sarsfield

Thiago Almada
Image: Midfielder Thiago Almada is wanted by Manchester City

Manchester City are in talks with Velez Sarsfield over a deal for midfielder Thiago Almada, Sky Sports News understands.

Pep Guardiola has already added Angelino and Rodri to his first-team squad ahead of the new season and has identified the 18-year-old Argentine as an emerging talent

Almada has been dubbed as the 'new Messi' in his homeland and has already received international recognition at youth level, earning seven caps for Argentina U20s.

Listen or subscribe to the Transfer Talk podcast on:

He has two years remaining on his contract at Velez Sarsfield and is understood to have a release clause of around £16m.

Meanwhile, Guardiola has admitted he is unsure whether City will sign a replacement for Vincent Kompany, who left the club at the end of last season to become player/manager at Belgian side Anderlecht.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Pep Guardiola explains why his players will decide who replaces Vincent Kompany as Manchester City's new captain

He said: "There is a chance but I don't know if it will be possible. We have three good central defenders, Fernandinho can play in that position, so we will see.

Also See:

"We are so happy in the squad that we have. I don't know what's going to happen in the end of the market; if the players still here are going to stay or if players are going to come.

"I'm delighted with the players we have."

Follow the Summer Transfer Window on Sky Sports

Sky Sports News is home to three new shows dedicated to bringing you the very latest news from this summer's transfer market.

Start your day with Good Morning Transfers at 9am as our team of reporters and pundits bring you the latest news and insight. Transfer Talk then follows at midday, delivering the biggest stories that matter to you. And join us at 7pm for the definitive round-up of the day's news with The Transfer Show.

And as well as tuning into Sky Sports News, don't miss a thing with our dedicated Transfer Centre blog.

There's also the Transfer Talk Podcast, the daily UK, Regional and European Paper Talk, plus features across skysports.com and the Sky Sports app.

Sky Sports Fantasy Football is Back
Sky Sports Fantasy Football is Back

FREE TO PLAY: Get your Head in the Game

Around Sky