Barcelona raise white flag to Manchester City for transfer – City in talks to get deal done

Manchester City and Barcelona have Palmeiras young star Eduardo Conceição on their transfer agenda. 

Two days ago, Sport Witness covered claims from Brazil that Manchester City are ahead in the race to sign the 16-year-old. The same source stated Barcelona have re-entered the race after a quiet period.

On Tuesday, Conceição’s agent Adriano Ribeiro confirmed talks with the Premier League side. There’s been claims of Palmeiras valuing him at between €40m and €50m.

Earlier this year, the winger made his way into Palmeiras U20 squad and has five goals and three assists from 531 minutes from 13 matches. He’s now with Brazil at the ongoing U17 South American Championship.

Barca and Manchester City interest backed up

Wednesday’s edition of Sport relays claims made in Brazil about Manchester City and the La Liga side and then share their own updates.

Pep Guardiola’s side invested €37m to sign Vitor Reis from the Brazilian club in January 2025. He became the most expensive South American centre-back, who is now on loan at Girona.

Their plan is to use their good relationship with Palmeiras to sign Eduardo Conceição.

The Premier League side are now convinced he is ‘destined for stardom’. Therefore, they plan to get ahead of others to win the transfer race.

Barcelona are also in the mix and his representatives already visited the Catalan club in January.

Hansi Flick’s side are well aware of other clubs’ interest in the youngster, ‘highly rated’ by their scouting department.

However, Barca won’t participate in an auction with Manchester City and other clubs for his signature.

Conceição can only arrive at the Camp Nou if he rejects every offer from England. In addition to this, he has to ‘curb the enthusiasm of his entourage and be patient’. This, for now, sounds like a hypothetical situation.

Even if the teenager were to agree to these conditions, Barca still have to agree a deal with Palmeiras. That won’t be easy, considering their current financial situation and their sporting priorities.

Can’t arrive at Etihad immediately

If Manchester City or another English club were to win the battle for Eduardo Conceição, he won’t be able to arrive in the UK until he turns 18 years of age in December 2028.

That shouldn’t stop Pep Guaridola’s side from agreeing terms with Palmeiras, for him to arrive at the Etihad in January 2029.