Friday, May 18th, 2012
Espanyol and English side Manchester City have agreed a partnership deal which could see many co-operative ventures between the two sides in the near future. Although finer details of the agreement have been kept under wraps from public viewing at this current time – with both parties refraining from openly discussing the terms – there has been a deal signed which was set in motion in late 2010.
Over the coming months more details are set to emerge from official sources, but early indications are from the Spanish side of the deal that a player could be arriving as soon as the summer, while a friendly game – to be held in El Cornellà El Prat – has also been mooted.
The English side had been discussing for sometime at boardroom level about a potential partnership with a club based in Spain, and though there had been no indication as to which exact team, information gathered by the Manchester club led them to the City of Barcelona, and Espanyol.
It’s understood that the first agreement arrived between the two teams on a sporting basis, with City keen to detract technical information from Espanyol’s coaching setup which has been extremely prosperous in recent years – with the fruits of such labour ripening this season. City had actually been heavily linked to Víctor Ruiz prior to his Napoli move, while the clubs have professional knowledge of each other regarding the transfer of Pablo Zabaleta in 2008. It was in 2005 when Espanyol brought the player to Spain, after he impressed in the FIFA World Youth Championship’s playing for Argentina as captain – a similar deal in the future could have heavy involvement from City, in terms of finance and at a footballing level.
As talks between the clubs progressed over recent months Espanyol insisted in an option whereby they would have preference over any potential outgoing from City – be it loan or permanent transfer. In turn City requested similar, and will also retain a first option on any Espanyol players who prosper. As well as big money transfers, City are looking to increase their profile in scouting circles around the world and it could be seen as an ideal move for both parties that any players on City’s books who perhaps need further education in a footballing sense could move to the Spanish side for experience.
The first knowledge set to be shared is the clubs current bases; with City handing over details of their current youth setup and burgeoning stars while Espanyol will comply by offering information on the current Spanish player market as a whole.
The English team are said to be extremely keen in offering their own players the opportunity to play abroad, as they’ve forged relationships with clubs in all different continents – namely South America – an area also known well to Espanyol, though now with the financial backing of the English side targets potentially out of reach are now viable acquisitions.
Though talks of a friendly have been tentative, there is an eagerness to have a get together of youth sides in Sant Adrià – the sports city in which several of Espanyol’s ‘Juvenil’ squads play.
Both managers, Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto Mancini, have obtained knowledge of the agreement and will be heavily involved in the footballing side of the process.
Though news of the deal may initially be of underwhelming nature for some City fans, they can be assured Espanyol’s youth system is one of the brightest in Spain at this current moment. The first team is scattered with fantastic potential ranging between 17 and 24, while the Cantera is blossoming at a rapid rate. Only recently Real Madrid amongst many others have shown an interest in Carlos Clerc, a hugely exciting left-sided winger who has been converted from a full-back in the ‘Juvenil’ section of Espanyol.
If you wish to know more about Espanyol, and their season thus far I recently had an article published on In Bed With Maradona here.
Tags: Espanyol, Manchester City
