Newcastle United questions asked as Manchester City agree deal to sign Brazilian

Newcastle United fans on social media have taken a keen interest in Manchester City's agreement to sign Brazilian forward Savio.

As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano: "Manchester City will complete Savio deal by the end of February as documents are already being prepared between all parties. Savinho will be part of City first team from July and he will start the pre-season under Pep Guardiola."

It's understood the 19-year-old has been the subject of bids from other English and German clubs, but as put by The Athletic's Nick Miller, the Premier League champions have benefitted from "classic bit of multi-club nimble footwork".

Savio joined Troyes from Atletico Mineiro in a club record transfer in 2022 but has never actually played for the French club. Savio is currently on loan at surprise La Liga high-flyers Girona where he will spend the rest of the campaign before moving to the Etihad Stadium this summer.

The theme here is that Troyes, Girona and Man City are all part of the City Football Group.

Savio had previously said: "I have the objective of playing for Manchester City. I think when I was signed my objective was always to get to Man City and I’m working towards that. If one day I get to Man City, you can be sure that I’ve done things well at Girona, as I’m doing now.”

Why has this caught the attention of some Newcastle supporters? Well, as one user wrote: "Imagine if this was #NUFC doing a deal with a Saudi club". Another said: "Where is the fair market value brigade doing laps of the Premier League here? If that read Newcastle United and Al Hilal there would be hell on."

In November, Premier League clubs voted on whether to place a temporary ban on loan signings between teams with the same owners. The motion failed by a single vote, meaning Newcastle were permitted to do business with the four Saudi Pro League clubs owned by PIF - Al Ittihad, Al Hilal, Al Ahli and Al Nassr - in January.

However, it went without saying that any Newcastle deal involving the aforementioned clubs would have come under great scrutiny. In the end, Eddie Howe did not strengthen his depleted squad in January, which was dictated by the club's objective to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Now, it's worth noting that what City are doing is completely within the rules, but it is interesting to hear Newcastle fans question the narrative if it were their club in the same situation.