Barcelona are on ‘high alert’ over Cavan Sullivan, hoping Manchester City’s pre-agreed deal for the Philadelphia Union midfielder falls apart.
Manchester City have a pre-agreement with the MLS side to sign Sullivan once he turns 18, but Barcelona remain in the background, waiting to see whether that deal collapses.
The reason for their optimism is City’s ongoing battle over the Premier League’s financial rules.
Cavan Sullivan to Man City: where the deal stands
Sullivan turned 17 in September and can’t move to the UK until he turns 18. In other words, City can’t bring him to England until January 2028.
In the meantime he has been busy in MLS, managing 10 goals and 11 assists for Philadelphia Union so far, and he has already caught the eye while training with Manchester City.
How the financial rules verdict changed the Cavan Sullivan deal
Last month, an independent commission found Manchester City guilty of all charges for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules between 2009 and 2018. On October 2nd, Enzo Maresca’s side lodged an appeal, the latest chapter in a legal fight that has hung over the club for years.
Everything had been on track for Sullivan to join City until that guilty verdict.
What Cavan Sullivan’s agent said
Last month, Sullivan’s agent Dan Segal warned that his client might not end up at the Etihad despite the pre-agreement.
“It’s true that there’s a pre-agreement with them for Sullivan, but you never know what might happen. We hope they resolve everything in the best possible way,” he said.
Those comments gave encouragement to other suitors, and according to Sport, the La Liga champions are among them.
Why Barcelona are watching Cavan Sullivan
Hansi Flick’s side keep a close watch on young players with huge potential, and the American is one of them. Sporting director Deco wants to grab the opportunity if one presents itself.
Sullivan could become available if Manchester City were to face sanctions, and Barcelona will be ready to pounce if Philadelphia Union open the door. They won’t be alone either, with other top European clubs expected to battle for his signature.
Author Opinion
For now, this is still City’s deal to lose. Whatever happens with the appeal, Sullivan can’t move to Europe until he turns 18, so he’ll keep developing in MLS in the meantime, and the pre-agreement remains in place.
But when a player’s own agent starts saying “you never know what might happen”, it’s a warning worth taking seriously. The longer the appeal drags on, the more nervous City should be about a signing they thought was already sorted, especially with Barcelona waiting in the wings.
