'Football shouldn't let this happen' - Why Man City have sparked controversy with Savinho signing

Collin Millar of The Athletic suggested on X the practice by which City were able to sign Savinho from a sister club he had never played for, having been on loan at another sister club, could be considered problematic within elite football. All three clubs are part of the City Football Group.

Savinho was a €12.5 million (£10.5m/$13.6m) record signing for Troyes in 2022. But rather than help the Ligue 1 club climb the table in France, he went straight out on loan to PSV Eindhoven. In his absence, Troyes were relegated in 2022-23. The Brazilian then joined Girona on loan for 2023-24, contributing 19 goals and assists to remarkably get them into the Champions League. Meanwhile, Troyes suffered back-to-back relegations. Now, he has been the subject of a £33.7m ($43.5m) transfer to CFG flagship club Manchester City.

The City Football Group is the most prominent example of a multi-club model in the world. It was founded in 2013 and now has 11 members across four continents, as well as a handful of other "partner clubs" in which the CFG does not hold direct stakes. Savinho is not the first time a player has moved between CFG clubs without playing for the side he joins. Aaron Mooy signed for Manchester City from Melbourne City in 2016 but was immediately loaned out and then sold on the following year. Mix Diskerud was also on the books at Manchester City for three years after joining from New York City.

Manchester City go into 2024-25 looking to extend their already unprecedented dominance of English football by winning a fifth consecutive Premier League title. But with Pep Guardiola out of contract next summer and a reported target for the England national team, the end of a a glorious chapter could be closer than many people might previously have thought.