Manchester City have completed the signing of Sergio Gomez, potentially concluding their transfer business for the summer.
Gomez, 21, has joined City for 13 million euros (£11m) plus add-ons and will stay to compete with Joao Cancelo for the left-back spot after the initial plan was for him to possibly go out on loan. He will wear the number 21 shirt and has signed a four year contract.
However, after assessing the market and refusing to pay Brighton's asking price for £62m-rated Marc Cucurella, Pep Guardiola says City have decided to keep Gomez in the squad this year rather than sign another senior full-back. Explaining the decision to move for Gomez, Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said that he will add to the quality to City's defensive ranks and has been partly signed for his potential.
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Begiristain said: “We are delighted to be able to welcome Sergio to Manchester City. He is a very exciting young talent. Sergio’s development in recent seasons has been very impressive - he is an accomplished defender with great potential. Over the past year, he has gained excellent experience playing in the Belgian League and in Europe with Anderlecht.
“We’re sure that he will bring additional quality to our squad both in defence and going forward and that he will only continue to develop and improve playing under Pep and his coaches.”
Upon signing, Gomez said: “I am incredibly proud and happy to have joined Manchester City. City are the best team in England and in Pep Guardiola I have a chance to learn and develop under the most outstanding manager in world football.
“To be able to be part of this club is a dream come true for me and something any young player would aspire to. The number of trophies City have won over the past few years has been incredible and the style of football the team plays under Pep is the most exciting in Europe. Playing for and being guided by Pep and his coaches is going to be very special.
“I’ve heard so much about the City fans and how passionate they are, so I can’t wait to get started and to try and help the Club achieve even more.”
Last week, Guardiola said to 'forget about' signing any further left-backs before the September 1 deadline, saying: "If nobody moves, I think nobody's coming in. Now I have the feeling that if we have a problem with Kyle and Joao we have players who can replace them. That's why Sergio comes. Even Nathan [Ake] can play there.
"In the right you have Kyle, Joao, John and maybe Rico. We don't have a big squad but we have some players who play in different positions quite well. That's why the moment we decide for Sergio, the debate for another left-back was over."
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