Man City have inserted a special clause into Brahim Diaz’ move to Real Madrid, designed to prevent him ever ending up at Man Utd.
Diaz set to complete a £15.5m transfer to the Bernabeu, which could rise to £22m.
City will be entitled to 15 percent of any fee Real get from selling the highly-rated Spaniard – but that figure rises to 40 percent if he heads to rivals United.
It is an incredible clause inserted by the Premier League champions – and evidence of their desperation to ensure he doesn’t move to Old Trafford.
Senior sources described the clause as “future planning” – but was not in response to any interest shown by United in the 19-year-old.
City were determined to keep hold of Diaz – but have reluctantly lost another of the gems from their much-celebrated academy.
Jadon Sancho left for Borussia Dortmund last season after growing impatient about his lack of first team opportunities – and now Diaz has followed suit.
Guardiola had tried to convince the teenager his future lay at the Etihad – but with Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez ahead of him in the pecking order, City accepted his desire to head to European champions Real.
At least they have secured a sizable fee for a player who was out of contract at the end of the season.
City will receive £15.5m up front, but could earn an extra £6.5m in performance-related bonuses.
