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RUBEN DIAS is expected to complete a £ 64 million move to Manchester City today.
Benfica have confirmed that the 23-year-old Portuguese international defender will join the Etihad team in a deal worth an initial £ 62 million.
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In a statement, the Portuguese club also confirmed that Nicolas Otamendi is moving in the opposite direction for a separate fee of around £ 13.7 million.
The arrival of Dias will put an end to Pep Guardiola’s long search for a right central midfielder and his arrival is a huge boost after Sunday’s 5-2 at home to Leicester.
He has also watched Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli, Jules Kounde from Sevilla and José Giminez from Atlético de Madrid.
However, they have settled on Dias, a player they have monitored for over a year, and his arrival cannot come soon enough.
City sent five goals at home for the first time in 17 years when they were beaten by Leicester at the Etihad on Sunday.
In early summer, Pep signed Nathan Ake for £ 40 million from Bournemouth, while he also has John Stones and Aymeric Laporte, who were absent on Sunday.
It could open the door for Eric Garcia to return to Barcelona this summer after turning down a new contract at City.
Dias was named captain by Benfica and scored the first goal in a 2-0 win over Moreirense on Saturday night.
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After the match, Dias said: “I am very happy.
“It was a very important game for me and to be able to consecrate the game with a goal was very special for me.
“It’s a special moment and I think everyone already knows why.”
Coach Jorge Jesús stopped short of saying that his key defense was definitely leaving, but added: “I’m pretty sure it was the last game.
“In football, sometimes everything changes in the last second, but I think that is not going to happen. We are sorry to see you go.
“But I also have some guilt for his departure. It has to do with the elimination of the Champions League.
“There are things that must be balanced and Rúben has a high market.
“If I have a choice, I want Ruben. But if I have to have Otamendi, I am satisfied.
“In Portugal, he has justified all his courage and Pep must not be stupid. If you love Rubén and let Otamendi come here, you should see what we all see. “
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