Manchester City sign Allan from Palmeiras for £34 million

A 22-year-old Brazilian winger who has never played a single match for Brazil's senior national team or its youth categories has just signed for one of the most powerful clubs in Europe. It's as simple as that: Allan left Palmeiras to become a Manchester City player, in a deal closed for £34 million (about $46 million).

The signing doesn't come with fireworks or a resume packed with senior team call-ups. In that sense, Allan is a low-profile name within the galaxy of stars City usually deals in. But the club knows what it's doing: it had been tracking him closely in Brazilian football for some time and decided he was ready to make the jump.

His arrival also carries an almost mirror-image narrative: he fills the spot left by Savio, another Brazilian who departed for Tottenham last week. The role expected of Allan is similar to the one his countryman filled, that of a rotation piece on a flank already stocked with heavyweight names.

For the player himself, the moment is almost hard to put into words.

This is a surreal moment for me. Manchester City, with everything it has won over the last 15 years, is one of the most attractive clubs in the world for any player. To be here today and say I've joined them is the proudest moment of my life.Allan

The club's director of football, Hugo Viana, explained why City decided to bet on him despite his modest international profile.

We saw his progress in Brazil and found a player who enjoys the big moments and works hard for the team, with an excellent attitude.Hugo Viana

Competition on the wing

Allan's arrival won't reshape the starting lineup overnight. Jeremy Doku, Phil Foden and Antoine Semenyo are still competing for those wide attacking spots. Jack Grealish is also in the mix, though his immediate future could once again involve a loan move before the transfer window closes.

What this move does make clear is City's philosophy over the last few summers: adding young players with room to grow, even if they don't come stamped with a major federation's approval. It happened with Savio, and now it's happening again with Allan.

The team, meanwhile, opened its Premier League season with two wins in its first two matches, in its bid to reclaim the title currently held by Arsenal. Every reinforcement, however understated it may look on paper, adds up in that long race that has only just begun.