Hugo Viana is eyeing a raid on former club Sporting Lisbon for Francisco Trincao as he looks to make his first signing as Manchester City sporting director.
Viana is set to become sporting director at the Premier League champions in the summer, as Txiki Begiristain prepares to step down from the role. The former has won admirers for his work at Sporting, who are top of the Primeira Liga in search of successive Portuguese titles.
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Plans are already being formulated for his arrival at the Etihad. City are expected to overhaul their ageing squad in the summer after a disappointing defence of the Premier League this season.
According to Portuguese outlet A BOLA, Viana is plotting a raid on Sporting. He is encouraging the City board to move for winger Trincao. The 25-year-old has rebuilt his career at Estádio José Alvalade after struggling following a high-profile move to Barcelona earlier in his career.
Trincao signed for the Spanish side in a €31 million deal from Braga in January 2020 but started just three La Liga games. He spent the 2021/22 season on loan at Wolves in the Premier League before a permanent move to Sporting that summer.
This season, Trincao has eight goals and 11 assists in the Primeira Liga, the most productive campaign of his career to date. He earned a recall to the Portugal squad in October.
City are considering wide options amid doubts over the future of Jack Grealish, who has endured a challenging campaign. Jeremy Doku and Savinho have also lacked end product with that trio combining for just four goals in the Premier League this season.
