Exclusive: Manchester City have now joined Manchester United and Arne Slot in race to sign special £83m talent

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• EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey

Manchester City already boast one of the strongest squads on the planet – if not the strongest.

Pep Guardiola can name at least one world class player in every single position, depth which helped Manchester City win a historic treble in the 2022/23 campaign.

As such, Txiki Begiristain – who is leaving in 2025 – has been able to explore the next generation in his role as Director of Football, signing gems for the future in Claudio Echeverri and Cavan Sullivan.

There is no urgent need for senior additions as Manchester City sit second in the Premier League after an unbeaten start.

Now – after already landing Echeverri and Sullivan – TBR Football understand Manchester City are keen to sign another precocious talent who Manchester United and Liverpool also want.

Manchester City targeting Geovany Quenda

TBR Football have been told that Manchester City have now joined the race to sign Sporting CP No.57 Geovany Quenda.

The 17-year-old is making excellent progress at the Estadio Jose Alvalade under Ruben Amorim, recording eight league appearances already this season as well as two starts in the UEFA Champions League.

Sources inform TBR Football that Quenda is considered to be a special talent by those who regularly scout him, which includes Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool, who were all in attendance on Tuesday as Sporting CP recorded a 2-0 win over Sturm Graz in the UEFA Champions League.

We also understand Chelsea are admirers of the teenager.

One Premier League scout has confirmed to TBR Football that the expectation is Quenda will be considered a winger, although the Portugal U21 international is also capable of playing at wing-back.

The Portuguese wonderkid is a similar profile to the likes of Bukayo Saka, Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez and Amad Diallo – in the way that he tends to cut inside from the right flank onto his stronger left foot.

Manchester United have already taken action in battle to sign Sporting CP No.57 Geovany Quenda

Manchester City have some ground to make up by the sounds of it.

Reports in Portugal are claiming that Manchester United have already made contact to sign Quenda – who has an £83m release clause written into his contract in Lisbon.

Ultimately, if Manchester City do win the race to sign the Bissau-born wonderkid, it would set the Citizens up very nicely for the future, seeing as the aforementioned Echeverri is a right footer who tends to cut in from the left, potentially offering a satisfying balance to the frontline in years to come.