EXCLUSIVE: Man City target Real Madrid star Camavinga as Pep green lights midfield overhaul

Steve Kay

Updated: 7 Mar 2025 11:43 CST
2 min read

Eduardo Camavinga, Man City, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Manchester City are considering a summer bid for Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga, viewing the 22-year-old France midfielder as an ideal successor to Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva, FootballTransfers understands.

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Pep Guardiola is all in on this move, believing Camavinga is a perfect fit for Manchester City's style of play. The young French star has the skills, energy, and versatility to thrive under Guardiola, making him an ideal addition to City's midfield, which could lose one or even both of its veteran performers in the summer.

Current ETV

Eduardo Camavinga

M, DM (C)

Real Madrid

Eduardo Camavinga

M, DM (C)

Real Madrid

ETV Range

€72.1M - €88.2M

Camavinga, who joined Real Madrid from Rennes in 2021, has developed into a player capable of operating both defensively and offensively. His ability to break up opposition play, coupled with his adept passing and dribbling skills, mirrors the qualities exhibited by both Gundogan and Silva.

Gundogan and Silva have been instrumental in Manchester City's midfield and are known for their work rate, creativity, and football intelligence. Interestingly, both players have impressive goal records for City. Silva has scored 45 goals in over 300 appearances, while Gundogan netted 60 times in 304 games. Gundogan's goals made him a key figure in City's title triumphs, and in his best-ever scoring season, he hit 17 goals to finish as the club’s leading scorer.

Camavinga's ability to switch between defence and attack makes him a perfect fit for the roles Gundogan and Silva played under Guardiola. His versatility would give City plenty of tactical options, making it easy for him to slot into different midfield setups.

Camavinga signing has consequences for Marmoush

Guardiola strongly supports the signing of Camavinga, who has an estimated transfer value (ETV) of €80.1 million. Bringing in the young French star wouldn’t just replace Gundogan and Silva - it would add fresh energy to the squad and help City stay dominant in both the Premier League and Europe, the Catalan believes.

Camavinga is a top-class midfielder, though he is not the goal threat that either Gundogan or Silva are. To make up for that, sources say Pep plans to use new signing Omar Marmoush on the left wing next season alongside Erling Haaland to add more firepower.

Marmoush was a goal machine at Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring 27 times in 46 Bundesliga games before earning his move to City. Since arriving in Manchester, he’s shown some promise, already scoring three goals in his first five Premier League games.