Manchester City look poised to make another major defensive signing with Ruben Dias edging towards a move to from Benfica to The Etihad.
The Guardian reports that the Portugal international has agreed terms with the Manchester club, with Nicolas Otamendi set to go in the other direction.
Pep Guardiola has made no secret of his desire to bolster the City rearguard, with the signing of Nathan Ake earlier this year an indication of his intentions. The recruitment of Dias would represent another statement of intent from the Spaniard.
The highly-rated Dias, who came through Benfica's academy, is set to fly to the UK in the coming days to complete the deal. It is understood he will sign a five-year contract on a deal that will cost City some €55m. The defender has already earned 19 caps with his national side and at 23-years-old he is highly sought after.
The deal also looks set to end Nicolas Otamendi's stint at the club. It's believed he is set to join Benfica for a fee of €15m, and will join on a three-year deal after five years in England, during which time he collected two Premier League titles with Manchester City.
Dias was on target for Benfica in their 2-0 win over Moreirense on Saturday, with his current manager Jorge Jesus appearing resigned to the loss of the defender when speaking to media after the game.
#SLBMFC | 1-0 | ⚽ 21' GOOOOOOAL! RÚBEN! pic.twitter.com/XwKg6PD3dc
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) September 26, 2020
"I'm pretty sure it was his [Ruben Dias's] last game, but sometimes everything changes at the last second in football," the boss told reporters after the match.
"I don't think that's going to happen, though. He's a player we're sorry to see go, he came through the academy, is our captain and plays for the national team
"He has a high market value and is certainly already a fantastic player who will continue to improve."
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