World Cup winner Jesus Navas is set to become Manchester City’s first summer signing, as the managerless club seek to regain the Premier League title.
The 27-year-old will complete a £17million deal, which could rise to £24million, subject to a medical at the Etihad Stadium.
City’s interest in the Spaniard has been widely publicised in the last week and a statement on Sevilla’s official website confirmed the deal on Monday night.
It read: “Sevilla FC has accepted the offer of the English club, taking into account the will of the player, and he will undergo a medical.”
Navas, who also boasts a Euro 2012 winners medal, has spent his entire career with Sevilla, recording 388 appearances for the club.
However, he made clear in the last few days his interest in a move away from Spain and desire to add to his international silverware at club level.
“I like Manchester City a lot and it has great players,” he said. “I’m open to anything. I want to win more and reach my goals.
“Manchester City has done all it can to bring me in and I have to be grateful for that. I want to go on and win trophies.”
The signing comes before City have been able to confirm a replacement for manager Roberto Mancini, who was sacked in May.
Manuel Pellegrini is widely expected to join in the next week, after the Chilean confirmed he would leave current club Malaga.
And the 59-year-old, who has managed three Spanish clubs over the last ten years, will have come across Navas plenty of times.
He is also expected to bring playmaker Isco with him from Malaga, after the youngster expressed a desire to continue working with his ‘footballing father’.
Image courtesy of canalsur, via YouTube, with thanks.
For more on this story and many others, follow Mancunian Matters on Twitter and Facebook.
