Mexico star emerges as Manchester City transfer target as Hugo Viana awaits Rodri contract resolution | OneFootball

Manchester City could emerge as a destination for Cruz Azul defensive midfielder Erik Lira this summer, as per reports from Mexico.

Luciano Zavagno, a scout representing City Football Group, recently travelled to Mexico to watch Lira in person, attending Cruz Azul’s 4-1 win over Club Necaxa.

The scout was pictured on social media alongside the player’s agent, Mauricio Medrano, a detail reported by Record in Mexico and relayed by Sport Witness.

After full-time, Lira publicly stated his desire to move to Europe after this summer’s FIFA World Cup, telling TUDN that he is “working towards it” and wants to turn the speculation “into a reality”.

Report: CFG scout watches Lira, agent meeting held

The presence of a CFG official alongside Lira’s agent at the Estadio Banorte is the clearest indication yet of Manchester City‘s interest in the 26-year-old, who can operate as both a holding midfielder and a centre-back.

The Mexico international is valued at around €12 million and is contracted to Cruz Azul until June 2029. Lira’s comments about wanting a move to Europe, and specifically his mention of the FIFA World Cup as a potential springboard, suggest he is actively working to engineer a transfer.

City remain one of several possible destinations, with Record noting the Premier League and La Liga as the two most likely landing spots.

What would Lira bring to Manchester City?

Lira fits the kind of under-the-radar, long-term profile that CFG clubs have routinely recruited through their global scouting network, acquiring players before the wider market catches up with their valuation.

His ability to cover both holding midfield and centre-back offers the kind of positional flexibility that Manchester City sporting director Hugo Viana has consistently valued in his recruitment targets.

With Rodri‘s future still unresolved and significant midfield change expected this summer, a low-cost option who can provide depth across multiple positions will be on Viana’s radar.

Whether Lira’s FIFA World Cup showing proves compelling enough to trigger a formal offer remains to be seen – but the groundwork, it appears, is already being laid.