Pep Guardiola Manchester United Manchester City

Manchester City will host Manchester United in the 187th edition of the Manchester derby on Sunday, 6 March at the Etihad Stadium. Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP

Manchester City make first signing ahead of new season

Manchester City land their first signing ahead of the 2020/21 campaign after securing the services of 20-year-old Ferran Torres

Pep Guardiola Manchester United Manchester City

Manchester City will host Manchester United in the 187th edition of the Manchester derby on Sunday, 6 March at the Etihad Stadium. Photo by Sergei SUPINSKY / AFP

Manchester City have announced the signing of 20-year-old Valencia winger Ferran Torres on a five-year deal as Pep Guardiola looks to bolster his attacking options ahead of the 2020/2021 campaign.

Guardiola has made his first signing ahead of the new season after his men failed to retain their English Premier League title against a visibly stronger Jurgen Klopp Liverpool side.

Torres joins Manchester City in a deal worth an initial £21 million however Valencia could receive a further £11 million in add-ons for the Spain Under-21 international, who was in the final 12 months of his contract.

Manchester City land 20-year-old Ferran Torres

Torres has identified Pep Guardiola as the perfect mentor to improve his game under and has described linking up with his fellow countryman as a ‘dream’.

“I am so happy to be joining City,” Torres told the Premier League club’s website.

“Every player wants to be involved in attacking teams and Manchester City are one of the most attacking in world football.

“Pep encourages a really open, aggressive style, which I love, and he is a manager with a proven track record of improving players. To have him overseeing my development is a dream.”

Sane replacement?

City were linked to several young wingers after Leroy Sane’s move to Bayern Munich was confirmed at the start of July. The club have since made their first move by landing Torres on a five-year contract.

Although not a like-for-like replacement, Torres possesses the same explosiveness that Sane showed down the flanks at Manchester City giving Guardiola a natural winger option.

Guardiola’s men next turn their attention to Real Madrid who they host in their UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg clash. City lead 2-1 on aggregate courtesy of two away goals by Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne before football’s hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.