Manchester City confirmed interest in Idrissa Gueye, but lost out to Udinese

Manchester City’s pursuit of Metz striker Idrissa Gueye has been confirmed by the club’s technical staff, but the Premier League champions ultimately lost the transfer battle to Serie A side Udinese.

City’s Strategy in Emerging Markets

For several years, Manchester City has expanded its scouting network to target emerging football markets, particularly in South America and less traditional European leagues. The idea is to integrate new talent not only into City but also across the City Football Group’s global clubs.

Recent signings, such as Claudio Echeverri from River Plate, highlight this recruitment strategy. The club is also monitoring several promising players in Brazil. However, this approach has placed City in direct competition with European rivals, especially Red Bull clubs, known for quickly securing young stars.

Why City Lost the Race

Despite City’s world-class facilities and global appeal, young players often prefer teams where immediate first-team opportunities are more likely. This factor has tilted several negotiations in favor of smaller but strategically positioned clubs.

In Gueye’s case, Udinese emerged victorious. According to Gianluca Nani, technical director of the Pozzo family group, the Italian side secured the 18-year-old forward from Metz on an initial loan with an obligation to buy, overcoming competition from Manchester City and other Premier League and Bundesliga teams.

What It Means for City

While missing out on Gueye is a setback, City remains committed to its long-term recruitment plan, betting heavily on South America and under-the-radar European talent. The club sees this as essential for keeping a competitive edge in the face of aggressive rivals like Red Bull and top Bundesliga academies.