Manchester City are once again quietly moving in the shadows of the transfer market, and this time their attention has returned to South America, a region that has given world football some of its most gifted and fearless talents. In recent years, City have built a reputation not just for signing established superstars, but for identifying young players early, before their names explode across Europe. Now, all signs suggest that Pep Guardiola and the City recruitment team are very close to completing another such move, with reports claiming that “advanced negotiations” are already taking place for one of Argentina’s most exciting teenage attackers, Maher Carrizo of Vélez Sarsfield.
This is not a new story that suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Manchester City’s interest in Carrizo has been bubbling quietly for months, long before his name began circulating widely in European football circles. Back in the summer, reports from Argentina suggested that City were seriously considering activating his €16 million release clause. At the time, the idea sent waves through Argentine football. A teenager, barely 19, already attracting the attention of the Premier League champions and one of the most powerful clubs in the world.
Yet, despite those early reports, nothing happened. No bid was made. No clause was triggered. Carrizo stayed where he was, continuing his development at Vélez Sarsfield, the club that shaped him, protected him, and believed in him from a very young age. For some players, such a pause might have felt like a setback. For Carrizo, it became fuel.
Instead of letting disappointment slow him down, Carrizo doubled his efforts. He committed his future to Vélez by signing a new contract that now runs until December 2027. It was a clear message to the football world: he was not desperate to leave, not rushing his journey, and not willing to sacrifice development for a quick move abroad. But behind the scenes, Europe never stopped watching.
Carrizo’s rise has been steady rather than explosive, which perhaps explains why only the smartest clubs moved early. Coming through the Vélez youth system, he was always considered technically gifted, but it was his intelligence, calmness, and decision-making that truly stood out. When he finally broke into the first team in 2024, he did not look like a teenager trying to survive. He looked like a player who belonged.
Operating mainly as a winger, Carrizo quickly became one of Vélez Sarsfield’s most important attacking players. Over the course of last season, he featured in 35 matches, scoring 10 goals and providing an assist. Those numbers alone might not scream superstardom, but numbers rarely tell the full story, especially for young wide players. Carrizo’s true value lay in how he played, not just what he produced.
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He played with bravery, taking on defenders without fear. He hugged the touchline when needed, drifted inside when space opened up, and showed a maturity that made him look older than his years. Defenders struggled with his movement, while coaches admired his willingness to track back and work for the team. Slowly, quietly, he became one of the most talked-about young attackers in Argentina. Manchester City noticed all of this. So did others.
In recent weeks, the story has resurfaced with new intensity, this time via reports from the Netherlands. According to Soccer News, Manchester City are now firmly back in the race to sign Carrizo, and not just monitoring him from a distance. The report claims that negotiations have reached an advanced stage, suggesting that City have moved beyond interest and into serious action.
What makes this development even more intriguing is that Carrizo has also attracted attention from Feyenoord, one of the biggest clubs in Dutch football. Feyenoord have been actively searching for young attacking talent to strengthen their squad, and Carrizo emerged as a key target. Initial contact was made. Conversations began. Optimism existed. But then reality hit.
According to Soccer News journalist Mounir Boualin, Feyenoord’s hopes were quickly overshadowed by the presence of Manchester City. The Premier League champions, with their financial power, global prestige, and Guardiola-led project, represent a level of competition that few clubs can realistically challenge.
Boualin was blunt in his assessment. He revealed that Manchester City had already made progress before Feyenoord could even properly advance their interest. In his words, Feyenoord simply cannot compete with a club like City when negotiations reach this stage. It is not about ambition or desire. It is about scale, structure, and opportunity. I heard he’s in advanced negotiations with Manchester City,” Boualin said. “Yes, and as Feyenoord, you can’t compete with that.”
Those words tell a familiar story in modern football. When elite clubs enter the scene, especially ones like Manchester City, the balance shifts immediately. Smaller or mid-sized European clubs may offer playing time, comfort, and development, but City offer something different. They offer a pathway to the very top, surrounded by world-class facilities, elite coaching, and a winning culture. For a 19-year-old Argentine attacker, that promise is hard to ignore.
Yet this potential transfer is not without complexity. Vélez Sarsfield are not a club that sells cheaply or easily. They are proud of their academy, proud of their players, and careful about how and when they allow young talents to leave. River Plate know this better than most.
Before City and Feyenoord entered the picture, River Plate had already tried to sign Carrizo. In fact, they went so far as reaching an agreement, only for the move to collapse at the final stage. The reasons were never fully explained, but the breakdown left scars. Since then, Vélez have become more cautious, more pragmatic, and more open to the idea that Carrizo’s future likely lies in Europe rather than elsewhere in Argentina.
That shift in mindset is crucial. According to reports, Vélez Sarsfield are now willing to sell Carrizo, and significantly, they are open to selling him to Manchester City. That willingness suggests that discussions have moved beyond casual talks and into serious planning. What remains unclear is timing.
The report does not specify whether Manchester City are pushing to sign Carrizo in the January transfer window or whether they are planning a move for the summer. Both options make sense. January offers urgency but also risk. Summer offers patience and planning but invites competition.
City’s recent transfer strategy suggests flexibility. They have signed young players and loaned them out. They have signed young players and integrated them slowly. They have also allowed players to remain at their clubs for another season before moving them into the City Football Group ecosystem.Carrizo could fit into any of those models.
There is also the Guardiola factor. Pep Guardiola has always been selective when it comes to young attackers. He demands tactical intelligence, positional discipline, and a willingness to learn. Talent alone is never enough. If City are indeed in advanced negotiations, it strongly suggests that Guardiola has been convinced Carrizo fits the profile, not just as a footballer, but as a student of the game.
For Carrizo, the decision ahead could define his career. Staying at Vélez longer guarantees regular football and familiarity. Moving to a club like Feyenoord would offer a softer European landing, with less pressure and more immediate opportunities. Moving to Manchester City, however, is a leap into the elite. It is a move filled with risk and reward.
At City, competition is ruthless. Places are not guaranteed. Young players must earn every minute. But those who succeed are shaped into complete footballers, capable of dominating at the highest level. For an Argentine winger with ambition, confidence, and patience, the challenge could be irresistible.
From Manchester City’s perspective, the move makes perfect sense. The club continues to plan for the future, even while competing for titles in the present. Carrizo represents potential, resale value, and tactical flexibility. He fits the profile of a modern winger: quick, intelligent, technical, and adaptable.
This is also another sign of City’s global scouting strength. While many clubs chase the same high-profile names, City quietly track players long before the hype peaks. Carrizo is not yet a global superstar. But City rarely wait for players to become obvious.
As negotiations continue, all eyes will be on Vélez Sarsfield, Manchester City, and Carrizo himself. The pieces are in motion. The interest is real. The talks are advanced. And the outcome could be decided sooner rather than later.
Whether this transfer happens in January or the summer, one thing is clear. Maher Carrizo is no longer just a promising teenager in Argentina. He is now a serious target for one of the biggest clubs in world football. And if Manchester City complete this move, it will be another reminder that their future planning is as ruthless and precise as their present dominance.
The story is still unfolding. But the direction feels clear. Manchester City are closing in. And Argentine football may soon be saying goodbye to another young talent heading for the global stage.
