Towards the end of the January transfer window, RMC Sport broke the news that Claudio Gomes, one of Paris Saint-Germain’s most talented youngsters, would be signing for Manchester City.
Approached by the Premier League side, and having talked to Pep Guardiola over the phone, the 17-year-old decided to turn his back on his childhood club and continue his development in the north of England.
But why did he do that? That’s what Le Parisien set out to find in their Friday edition, and it all comes down to Paris Saint-Germain’s inability to promise him what he wanted.
Never really taking any notice about the financial side of things, Gomes wanted more than anything to stay in Paris, but what they offered him on a football level wasn’t good enough.
Manchester City, on the other hand, had a complete plan drawn out for him by Mikel Arteta, Pep Guardiola’s assistant.
When he rocks up at the Etihad Campus in July, Gomes will immediately enter the first-team group and train with them, learning directly from the Spaniard.
Then, when January comes, three options will be evaluated depending on his progress: he’ll either stay with the first-team, be relegated to the reserves or will be sent on loan to one of Manchester City’s affiliate clubs.
While not exactly the most groundbreaking plan, it’s far more detailed than what Paris Saint-Germain ever put in front of him, and that’s what made him choose the Premier League club.
