Report: European side make move for £10.5m Manchester City talent, but there’s an issue

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Hellas Verona have approached Manchester City to discuss a deal for Ivan Ilic to re-join the Serie A side for a second season on loan, according to TuttoMercatoWEB.

Ilic spent last term at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi after the Gialloblu struck a deal with the Citizens in September. The move featured a €12m (£10.5m) option for Verona to buy the Serbian midfielder, per Hellas1903, but elected against accepting the offer.

Instead, Verona, now managed by Eusebio Di Francesco, hope Manchester City will allow Ilic to return on another loan spell. The northern Italian outfit have offered Pep Guardiola’s side €1m (£860k) for a one-year deal, but there’s a big problem.

Troyes are rivalling Verona for Ilic and the Ligue 1 outfit’s interest in a deal with Manchester City is strong. The Stade de l’Aube side secured their return to France’s top-flight for the first time since 2018 as Ligue 2 runners-up last season.

And Head coach Laurent Batlles seemingly believes the Citizens’ 20-year-old can offer the extra ingenuity to guide ESTAC to safety. Ilic struggled to hold down a regular starting role during his year with Verona, only opening 19 Serie A fixtures.

The Red Star Belgrade product made 29 league outings under Ivan Juric, and offered two goals but no assists. His strike at home to Inter Milan drew Verona level in a 2-1 loss to the would-be champions in December, while he opened the scoring against Genoa in February.

Manchester City expect big things from Verona target Ilic

Manchester City will have taken some joy in Ilic’s loan with Verona last season, but would have preferred to see him start more regularly. Now, the change at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi helm with Di Francesco replacing Juric could help Gialloblu get him back.

Di Francesco offers the Serbian a fresh start to cement his place as an integral starter. That will likely be key for Manchester City accepting Verona’s offer, with Troyes also pushing to sign him this summer. As only playing regularly will prove if he has a future at the Etihad.

Manchester City were already prepared to bid Ilic goodbye when he joined Verona on loan with an option to buy. But they, seemingly, expect big things from him. As part of the Gialloblu’s prior deal, the Citizens would have secured a €24m (£20.5m) buyback clause.