Revealed: Man City and Juventus Had €60m Deal in Place for star player in January – Why the Move Didn’t Happen

In a winter transfer window that saw Manchester City break from their usual cautious approach, one major deal slipped through the cracks—despite being fully agreed. Reports from Italy now claim that City had reached an agreement with Juventus for right-back Andrea Cambiaso, a move that would have cost the Premier League champions €60 million, but was ultimately pushed back until the summer.

This revelation raises an important question: Why did City delay the deal, and will they return for the Italian international in the next window?

Inside the City-Juventus Agreement

According to TuttoSport, as relayed by Sport Witness, Manchester City and Juventus had finalized terms for Cambiaso’s transfer during the January window. The deal would have seen the 24-year-old put pen to paper on a four-year contract, doubling his salary and joining Pep Guardiola’s squad immediately.

However, despite the agreement, no official bid was formally submitted, with City instead choosing to focus on other areas of the squad during a month where they spent heavily.

It’s no secret that Guardiola’s side needed reinforcements, especially after the departure of Kyle Walker to AC Milan on loan. But the club’s January priorities shifted toward midfield reinforcements, leaving the right-back situation unresolved—at least for now.

Why City Pulled the Plug—For Now

City’s aggressive January window saw them spend €180m, with signings including Nico Gonzalez (€50m from Porto), Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis. With such significant investment already made, the club decided against triggering the Cambiaso deal immediately.

It is believed that City didn’t want to overextend financially in one window, preferring to reassess their squad and return for Cambiaso in the summer. However, this delay also opens the door for other European giants to enter the race, potentially complicating City’s pursuit.

City’s Right-Back Situation—Who Else Is on the Radar?

While Cambiaso remains a primary target, he is not the only name linked with a move to the Etihad. Reports suggest that Crystal Palace’s Daniel Muñoz has emerged as a serious alternative, with Chelsea and Barcelona also monitoring the Colombian.

Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong is another potential option. The Dutch international, a former Manchester City academy graduate, has been one of the Bundesliga’s standout performers and could be tempted by a return to England.

What Happens Next?

With the FIFA Club World Cup set to take place in the summer, City’s recruitment team will revisit their transfer plans once the season concludes. If Cambiaso remains a priority target, a move could be reignited post-tournament, assuming Juventus are still willing to negotiate.

For now, Guardiola will have to rely on internal solutions. Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones have all played at right-back this season, while Matheus Nunes has been trialed in a makeshift role. But with City’s defensive frailties being exposed at times, it’s clear that a permanent, top-tier right-back remains a missing piece in their tactical puzzle.

The question remains: Will Cambiaso be the answer, or will City look elsewhere? One thing is certain—they can’t afford to ignore the position for much longer.