Hugo Viana and Manchester City's pursuit of a brand new winger to replace Savinho has been hit by a first blow after issuing their opening verbal approach to Palmeiras for Allan Elias, according to reports in Brazil.
Jeremy Doku: A big season incoming!
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Manchester City's final fortnight of the summer transfer window has sprung into life with intense interest in a number of players, but particularly operators in the wide attacking roles and those in central midfield.
Off the back of a number of exits including Rodri to FC Barcelona and Tijjani Reijnders to Al Qadsiah, with others still seeing their fate in the air including Nico Gonzalez amid interest from Newcastle, plans are being put into place with urgency to retain strength in depth.
As Savinho closes in on an £85 million total package transfer to Premier League rivals Tottenham, who also retain interest in City's Omar Marmoush in the final few days of the market, those within the Etihad Stadium are having to seek immediate replacements.
One such name of keen interest to sporting director Hugo Viana and fellow staff in recruitment roles at the club is Palmeiras' Allan Elias, with the 22-year-old winger having a €100 million release clause in his contract.
Manchester City have reached an agreement on personal terms with Palmeiras winger Allan Elias, according to recent reports.cityxtra.co.ukMan City Agree Personal Terms With Allan Elias as Palmeiras Negotiations Begin
Manchester City have reached an agreement on personal terms with Palmeiras winger Allan Elias, according to recent reports.
Man City see opening offer for Allan Elias rejected
Now, according to a new report from ESPN Brasil, Palmeiras have rejected City's first verbal approach for Allan, indicating to the Brazilian side a willingness to spend €25 million plus a further €5 million in bonuses.
The São Paulo team are said to have insisted that they have no interest in selling unless they receive an 'exceptional' offer, with City remaining 'very interested' and preparing a new offer with higher figures and performance-related clauses.
From the side of Palmeiras, it is explained that the Brazilian outfit have no intention of negotiating for less than €40 million, with City set to make their new approach 'in the coming hours'.
Are there any other wingers of interest to City?
At present, Allan of Palmeiras is the only name publicly known to be of interest to Manchester City for the wide attacking roles, and it remains to be seen whether there are alternative targets to turn to should negotiations prove to be problematic.
With City turning attentions away from Chelsea's Pedro Neto amid a £100 million valuation at Stamford Bridge, there could yet be a scenario where Enzo Maresca is forced to utilise existing options to make up for the loss of Savinho and potentially Omar Marmoush.
Antoine Semenyo and Jeremy Doku are known to be versatile in terms of whether they play from the left or right wing positions, while Ryan McAidoo is known to be an Academy starlet that Maresca believes is ready for the step up to regular first-team football this season.