Manchester City close in on securing first big-money summer transfer | OneFootball

Hugo Viana and Manchester City are closing in on signing their first big-money player ahead of the 2026/27 season, it is being reported.

Since officially succeeding Txiki Begiristain and taking full control of sporting director operations in July 2025, Hugo Viana has overseen a calculated and aggressive reshaping of what had been an ageing Manchester City squad.

The Portuguese official’s tenure was defined early by high-profile acquisitions designed to modernise the spine of the team, most notably securing Gianluigi Donnarumma and raiding the domestic market for Marc Guéhi and Antoine Semenyo in January 2026.

Beyond those arrivals, Viana also oversaw a ruthless squad review, facilitating upcoming summer departures of Bernardo Silva and John Stones, with the expectation being to make way for a younger profile of player.

And while there is a belief that another blockbuster summer window could be on the horizon involving the signing of a right-back and possibly a midfield overhaul featuring Elliot Anderson, young talents continue to be a priority.

Hugo Viana’s latest Man City signing close to completion

Now, according to the information of journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Manchester City are close to signing 18-year-old ESTAC Troyes forward, Mathys Detourbet in an agreement worth around €15 million.

Detourbet has rapidly ascended to becoming one of the most coveted young profiles within the City Football Group, as evidenced by his standout ongoing campaign at Troyes where the 18-year-old has notched two goals and six assists to help propel the side to the top of the Ligue 2 standings.

What could be Man City’s development plan for Detourbet?

Hugo Viana is believed to have also successfully fended off rival interest from Paris Saint-Germain in the process, in a move that could yet see the player remain on loan at Troyes for the 2026/27 season as part of the French side’s Ligue 1 bow.

It remains to be seen what sort of development plan Manchester City could have for Mathys Detourbet beyond a loan stay at Troyes, but the success of Savinho moving from the same club to Girona, and onwards to the Etihad Stadium will give them plenty of reason for excitement.