Manchester City have signed Allan Elias from Palmeiras for £34m, with the move built around more than just one good season in Brazil. City are backing a player whose game has grown into something Palmeiras people describe as adaptable, hard-working and difficult to pin down.

City's view of his role

Abel Ferreira said: "Teams want players like Allan because he does what 90 per cent of the wingers here cannot do. Attack and defend down the flank for the full 90 minutes."

That fits the other comments around him too. Lucas Andrade, his former Palmeiras youth coach, said Allan can play "in the middle" and "in both sides of attack" and added that he "Helps a lot in defence." He also said Allan is "more strong" than Savio, while Savio is "more technical".

Allan has four goals and three assists in this season's Brazilian championship, and he has made 21 appearances. He was also the player who set up the first goal and won the penalty for the last one in Palmeiras' Copa Libertadores semi-final comeback against Liga de Quito.

The story behind the transfer

The move also carries a heavy personal backstory. Allan's childhood nickname was "Mini Balotelli", but the rise to this point was delayed by grief and patience more than by hype. His sister Leticia died during the pandemic due to Covid-19, and he cried with his parents before his final U20 game.

Lucas Andrade said there was a moment when the future felt real. "That is when I realised Allan had the level to play here one day," he said, referring to a youth tournament in England where Allan impressed against Chelsea and Tottenham.

Allan made his senior debut in January of last year and scored his first goal the next month. The leap from that point to a £34m move to Manchester City is a big one, but it is the kind of jump City have decided is worth making. Palmeiras have seen enough from his output, his flexibility and the way he handles both attacking and defensive work to believe the Premier League should suit him.

His first job in England will be forcing his way into a City squad that expect more than entertainment from wide players. The fee is settled, the fit is clear enough, and the test now begins when he gets to Manchester.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →