Man City Transfer News: Decision 'imminent' as Pep eyes South American star

Manchester City are hoping to alleviate their defensive crisis this month with a late-window approach for one of South America’s hottest prospects.

While City have it all to do in the Premier League as they seek to chase down leaders Arsenal and hold off the challenge of Aston Villa, their capacity to do so is being hampered by a lack of defensive consistency.

Pep Guardiola’s backline has been decimated by injuries, prompting the Spaniard to bring in Marc Guehi and immediately install him into the starting XI.

Josko Gvardiol and John Stones are among the long-term absentees, while Ruben Dias has also had an injury-impacted campaign.

Therefore, having decided against recalling the likes of Manuel Akanji and Vitor Reis from loan spells, heading to the transfer market for more defensive options has been no surprise.

However, if the latest reports are to be believed, Pep is not going down the tried-and-tested route as he did with Guehi.

According to Spanish football news outlet Fichajes, Manchester City are battling rivals Manchester United for the signature of River Plate centre-back Lautaro Rivero.

Rivero, who has a €100m (£87m) release clause, is not someone River want to sell, as made clear by the release clause installed in the 22-year-old’s contract and the fact they rejected approaches for him in the summer.

He has impressed scouts across Europe, with Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus and Atletico Madrid all namedropped as admirers.

Fichajes appears to imply that the destiny of Rivero’s future lies with the Premier League superpowers after his signature, presumably as they have the financial might to pull this deal off – though you don’t get the sense that meeting his release clause in full is being considered.

However, it is hinted that a decision, one way or another, is on the near horizon, as we wait for what is described as his ‘imminent international destination’.

Despite only turning 22 in November, Rivero is already a key part of the River Plate squad.

Domestically, he starts more often than not, missing out on just five regular-season games that he was available for in 2025, including during his loan spell at Central Cordoba.

As per the report, Man City’s main concern may well be the threat of United scuppering their attempts to bolster their defensive ranks.

The Red Devils are said to have ‘taken the lead’ in the race for Rivero’s services, and River’s recent track record of selling promising players may suggest Rivero is a talent worth fighting for.

The Argentinian powerhouses have sold the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Franco Mastantuono and former City star Julian Alvarez in recent years, proving their conveyor belt of talent has been one of the hottest around.

And with days left of this winter window, City may need to act now to secure another potential superstar or risk their nearest rivals taking advantage.

Graduated in Sport Journalism (BA) with first-class honours from the University of Brighton and has since had bylines in The Times, sports business publication SportsPro, Football FanCast and The Gooner fanzine.

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