Manchester City
Premier League • England
£50m midfielder responds to Man City ‘talks’ as he learns of Liverpool interest
Pep Guardiola and Hugo Larsson
Manchester City have held talks over signing Hugo Larsson, according to a trusted journalist, who has revealed interest from Liverpool among other clubs in the midfielder who once turned down the chance to join Chelsea.
Larsson has been on the books of Eintracht Frankfurt since the summer of 2023 when he joined from Swedish club Malmo. The 20-year-old midfielder has established himself as one of the finest young midfielders in the Bundesliga and is a regular for Eintracht, who are aiming to finish in the top four of the league table this season and will take on Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
The Sweden international midfielder has scored six goals and given one assist in 37 matches in all competitions so far this season and scored two goals and provided two assists in 38 appearances in the 2023-24 campaign.
According to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, Man City are keen on a deal for Larsson and are already in talks over a summer deal.
The respected reporter has revealed on X that the 20-year-old midfielder himself is willing to make the move to the Etihad Stadium.
However, there are two hurdles for Pep Guardiola’s Man City in their quest to secure the services of the 20-year-old midfielder.
Firstly, there is intense competition for the defending Premier League champions.
Liverpool are interested in a summer deal for Larsson, while Arsenal, Tottenham and top clubs in the Bundesliga are also monitoring him.
Secondly, Eintracht are not going to sell Larsson on the cheap.
The Bundesliga club are said to be looking for at least €60million (£50.2m, $65m).
Plettenberg wrote on X: “Excl | Manchester City have entered the race for Hugo #Larsson! 20 y/o top midfielder is keen on their interest.
“Eintracht Frankfurt have been informed. First initial talks took place. #MCFC
“Boss Markus Krösche demanding at least €60m. Larsson is under contract until 2029. Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, and several other teams are also monitoring him, including top Bundesliga clubs.”
READ MORE ➡️ Sources: Chelsea target shock move for Man City ‘fighter’ Guardiola wants gone
Hugo Larsson turned down Chelsea move
This is not the first time that Larsson has been strongly linked with clubs in the Premier League.
The Swedish star had the chance to join Chelsea when he was 17, but he decided not to move to Stamford Bridge despite training with the London club’s academy and scoring in a match.
Larsson told Expressen in April 2022: “It’s clear that it was a great experience to go and play with Chelsea.
“I trained with the team and also got to go to a tournament in Belgium. I also scored a goal.
“It (the move to Chelsea) was a little too early. I did not think it would happen so fast.
“For me, it was better to continue my development at home, at Malmo.
“I want to break through at Malmo first before I go abroad.”
Latest Man City news: Svilar chase, Branthwaite interest
Man City have joined the race for AS Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar, according to a report.
Ederson could leave the defending Premier League champions at the end of the season, and Guardiola needs to bring in a replacement goalkeeper.
While Man City are interested in Svilar, the Cityzens will face competition from Premier League rivals Chelsea.
Man City are also said to be keen on a deal for Jarrad Branthwaite in the summer transfer window.
Man Utd are also interested in the English defender, but TEAMtalk understands that Everton are adamant that they will not sell Branthwaite.
Meanwhile, The Athletic journalist David Ornstein has brought an update on when Man City can expect to know the result of the 115 charges made against them by the Premier League.
Ornstein said: “People have been saying things like ‘imminent’, ‘this week’, ‘tomorrow’ for ages now, and that shows most of us simply don’t know – probably only a small number involved in the process do.
“The expectation at Man City has been ‘spring’, and if that’s the case, we’re into that. However, it’d also mean we could be waiting until late June!
“Plus, as long as we don’t have anything firm from the Premier League, City or other parties privy to the matter, it’s largely speculation and perhaps subject to change.
“Another thing we don’t know is the nature of the announcement. So, will the verdict be as black and white as many are anticipating?
“Could it be an anti-climax? How much detail will there be to sift through? What are the next steps? Will there be appeals, and if the answer is yes, how long could they take?
“You suspect this process is nowhere near finished yet.”