South America always deserves attention for being a veritable breeding ground for star players who may shine in Europe in the future. Precisely for this reason, coach Pep Guardiola and the Manchester City squad have taken the first steps to secure the signing of South American midfielder Gabriel Villamil, who has been standing out for Ecuadorian team LDU Quito and is one of the main sensations of the current Copa Libertadores season, which is in the semifinals.
Villamil, 24, began his career at Bolívar (Bolivia) before transferring to LDU Quito in early 2024, initially on loan, and soon after on a permanent deal. Since then, he has played around 74 games for the Ecuadorian team, scoring a total of 14 goals, which proves his important role in the Ecuadorians' success in the national league and continental tournament.
Manchester City's new target is one of the stars of the Libertadores
The performances in the Copa Libertadores also carried more weight, especially when LDU Quito reached the final stages of the competition, eliminating major teams such as Botafogo (coached by Davide Ancelotti) and São Paulo (Lucas Moura's current team, led by Hernán Crespo) in the knockout stages. The first leg of the semifinals was dominated by the Ecuadorians, who beat Palmeiras, the team of Vitor Roque and Felipe Anderson, coached by Abel Ferreira, 3-0.
Manchester City is looking to increase the quality and depth of its midfield, especially to support a pair of defensive midfielders who can perform effectively in a variety of scenarios. With his physical presence, vision, defensive contribution, and ability to distribute the ball, Villamil is a candidate to fulfill this mission.
Although no formal offer has yet been made by the English club, the interest is described as consistent and realistic, according to the South American press. However, the leap from South America to the Premier League represents a major challenge: adaptation to the style of play, intensity, climate, and technical/tactical demands are factors that must be considered. LDU Quito is aware of the player's value and the likelihood that big clubs will come calling, so having control over the terms and timing of a possible departure will be strategic.