Givairo Read Speaks Out on Man City Interest After Van Persie Backing

Givairo Read has finally addressed the intense transfer speculation linking him with a move to Manchester City and Bayern Munich, describing the chatter as a compliment but refusing to let it distract him. The Feyenoord defender has emerged as one of the most sought-after young full-backs in European football, with City believed to be leading the race for his signature ahead of the summer window.

The 20-year-old right-back, whose stock has risen sharply since breaking into the first team under Robin van Persie, admitted he is aware of the reports but insisted he is leaving the business side of things to his representatives. “I read them, that would be a compliment, but to be honest, I don’t concern myself with that much right now,” Read said in a recent interview. “That’s something for my agent. At this moment, I don’t know what the future holds. If an opportunity arises, I’ll discuss it with my family and agent, people closest to me who know me best.”

Van Persie’s seal of approval

Van Persie, who took charge at De Kuip this season, has publicly endorsed the idea of Read moving to an elite club. The former Arsenal and Manchester United striker praised the youngster’s mental resilience, calling him “still exactly the same boy” as three years ago despite the growing hype. That stability, according to Van Persie, makes Read ready for the next step in his career.

Feyenoord are in no rush to sell, with Read under contract until 2029. However, the Eredivisie side have set a club-record asking price in excess of €32 million and are bracing themselves for a significant offer. City’s interest is understood to be genuine and long-standing, with scouts tracking the defender since November last year. Bayern Munich are also monitoring the situation, but the Premier League champions are viewed as frontrunners.

City’s right-back conundrum

Manchester City’s pursuit of a specialist right-back has been a recurring theme throughout the summer. Matheus Nunes filled in admirably last season, but the club’s incoming director of football, Hugo Viana, has made signing a dedicated option a priority. The chase for Pedro Porro has effectively ended after the Tottenham full-back moved closer to signing a long-term deal until 2030.

Read’s profile - a dynamic, technically proficient defender who contributes heavily in attack - aligns closely with what City are looking for. His ability to bomb forward and deliver quality crosses makes him an ideal fit for the team’s style under their new manager. For now, though, Read is keeping his feet on the ground, focussing on his performances at Feyenoord while the transfer noise continues to swirl around him.