Manchester City transfer news: Pep Guardiola’s secret scouting mission to watch Benfica’s £51million-rated Alex Grimaldo
Manchester United and Arsenal were also in attendance at the Estadio da Luz — but Manchester City boss was very discreet
PEP GUARDIOLA was at Benfica’s recent clash with Braga on a “lightning-quick” scouting mission, according to reports in Portugal.
The likes of Arsenal, Everton, Manchester United and Inter Milan officially sent representatives to the Estadio da Luz on Monday.
But report the Manchester City boss discreetly bought tickets “informally”, took a private jet and returned that same night as he went to watch Alex Grimaldo.
Guardiola, who was in attendance with his brother-agent, Pere, left for Lisbon immediately after his infamous press conference where he launched a scathing attack on Yaya Toure’s agent.
Left-back, Grimaldo — who was incidentally celebrating his 21st birthday on Monday — played under the Spaniard at Barcelona.
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He was a 17-year-old when Guardiola left the Nou Camp and never made a first team appearance until leaving in December 2015.
The left-back area is a position Guardiola is intent on strengthening with the Spaniard unconvinced by either Gael Clichy or Aleksandar Kolarov.
Grimaldo has a £51million release clause despite Benfica only signing him for a little over £1m — and City are keeping an eye out on his development.
He played 92 games for Barcelona B before moving to Portugal.
Grimaldo featured very little but still won a league title, a League Cup and Portuguese Super Cup equivalent.