Man City set to beat Tottenham to defender signing after breakthrough - Sources
Man City are set to beat Tottenham to the signing of Benfica defender Ruben Dias after a breakthrough today, Football Insider understands.
Pep Guardiola's side are working on recruiting a second senior centre-back this window following the earlier summer capture of Nathan Ake from Bournemouth.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that City are closing in on top Spurs target Dias in a deal that would see Nicolas Otamendi head the other way.
Discussions have been held between City and Benfica representatives over the part-exchange transfer and an agreement is close.
That would be a blow to Tottenham, who have lined up Dias as an alternative to Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar.
Spurs are making progress in talks with the Serie A giants for Skriniar after being told they will significantly drop their original £55million asking price.
The Londoners are hopeful an agreement can be secured for below £40m but the possibility of Dias as back-up now looks set to be over.
The Portugese centre-back, 23, was strongly linked with City earlier in the summer but the trail had subsequently gone cold.
Guardiola lured Ake from Bournemouth in a deal costing around £41m and links with the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Leonardo Bonucci and Dayot Upamecano have also quietened.
But now Dias is in line to join City ahead of the window shutting on 5 October.
The 19-times Portugal international has risen through the ranks at Benfica to make 136 appearances for their first team.