“I will never forget that” – La Liga defender left with ‘almost tears in his eyes’ over Manchester City transfer | OneFootball

Former Manchester City defender and now Real Sociedad full-back Sergio Gomez has reflected on his move to the Etihad Stadium in 2022 from RSC Anderlecht.

The former Spanish youth international completed a move to the Premier League champions prior to the start of the 2022/23 season, and accompanying the likes of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez in completing switches to the club in the same summer.

Whilst his opening season with the team was littered with silverware and the ultimate success of claiming a historic Treble featuring a first UEFA Champions League title in the club’s history, first-team opportunities would always remain limited into his second season.

As such, the 2024 summer transfer window brought about fresh opportunities for Gomez across Europe, leaving both himself and his representatives with a big decision to make over where would be best to play his top level football.

Ultimately, a move back to Spain and into the set-up at Real Sociedad was deemed the best possible route, bringing an end to a dream spell with his boyhood club, with Gomez growing up as a keen Manchester City supporter.

Now speaking to Belgian news outlet Gazet van Antwerpen, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, it is stated that Sergio Gomez was left begging with RSC Anderlecht CEO Peter Verbeke, ‘almost with tears in his eyes’, over sanctioning a move to Manchester City.

“That’s true. Logical, right? As a young, ambitious footballer you want to play in the Premier League. And it wasn’t mid-range, was it? It was champion Manchester City who also played in the Champions League. The best team in the world,” the versatile Spaniard responded.

He continued, “For a very nice transfer fee. I know that Peter (Verbeke) really made an effort to let me go. I will never forget that.”

On the subject of the interest from Manchester City, Gomez revealed, “I know that coach Pep Guardiola really wanted me in his core at the time. It’s hard to say how he discovered me.

“Possibly his brother said to him: ‘Look at that guy who plays well with Vincent Kompany in Belgium’, but I still had to convince him.”

Manchester City have not signed a direct replacement for Sergio Gomez despite the high-level investment that was made in the talent and other members of the squad over the summer, opting for the continuation of Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake as their left-back options.

The injury to the Netherlands international has sparked other trials from Pep Guardiola in the role, with Rico Lewis starring in the position recently, as well as a debut handed to 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite in the Carabao Cup third round.