Pep Guardiola has identified Eduardo Camavinga as the man to rebuild Manchester City’s ageing midfield and the Real Madrid logjam might just hand the Premier League champs a massive advantage.
City are “seriously exploring” a move for the French international, according to reports, with Guardiola personally convinced the 23 year old is the perfect long term successor to Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva.
The interest is real. The price tag? A cool €120m. And the timing couldn’t be better.
Madrid’s Midfield Mess
Real have stockpiled talent in the middle of the park to the point of absurdity. Jude Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni, Fede Valverde, Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz, and Camavinga all fighting for two or three spots. It’s a logjam that’s left the former Rennes wonderkid staring at the bench more often than he’d like.
Camavinga has started just 14 La Liga games this season. Fourteen. For a player of his calibre, the energy, the ball progression, the versatility to play left back or pivot that’s a criminal underutilisation.
And Madrid know it. They don’t want to sell. But players have a habit of getting itchy feet when they’re not playing.
Guardiola’s Masterplan
City’s midfield is in transition. Gundogan’s 35. Silva’s 31. Kevin De Bruyne’s already gone. The spine needs refreshing, and Guardiola wants athleticism, technical security, and tactical flexibility.
Camavinga ticks every box.
“He’s exactly the profile Pep loves,” one source told Topskills Sports UK. “Aggressive without the ball, elegant with it. Can play six, eight, left back doesn’t matter. He’s a manager’s dream.”
The Catalan has already given the green light. Now it’s down to the negotiators.
The €120m Question
Will Madrid sell? They’re not exactly desperate for cash. But with Tchouameni and Bellingham undroppable, and Valverde the ultimate big game animal, Camavinga’s pathway to regular starts isn’t getting clearer.
If he pushes for a move and if City meet that €120m valuation, it’s hard to see Los Blancos standing in his way. They’ve done this before. Makelele. Ozil. Di Maria. If a player wants out and the price is right, the Bernabeu turnstiles keep spinning.
What Camavinga Brings
Since arriving from Rennes for €30m in 2021, Camavinga’s developed into one of Europe’s most complete midfielders. He’s won two Champions Leagues, two La Ligas, and a World Cup finalist’s medal with France.
This season, despite limited minutes, he’s averaging 2.3 tackles per game and a 91% pass completion rate . He’s quick, powerful, and reads the game like a veteran.
At 23, his best years are ahead. City want them at the Etihad.
The Catch
Alvaro Arbeloa’s recent comments about Camavinga not fitting his plans? Irrelevant. Arbeloa’s only in temporary charge of Real Madrid Castilla . He’s got zero say in first team matters.
What matters is Carlo Ancelotti’s rotation policy and the reality that Camavinga’s been on the bench for Madrid’s last four league games.
Players notice these things.
We Say: Watch This Space
City have the money. Guardiola has the pull. Camavinga has the ambition. If Madrid can’t guarantee him the minutes he deserves, a €120m bid this summer becomes very, very interesting.
The Premier League title race is one thing. The summer transfer window’s already shaping up to be a belter.
