Manchester City and Bayern Munich interest in Givairo Read confirmed by Feyenoord director

Manchester City and Bayern Munich were among the clubs interested in signing Feyenoord defender Givairo Read during the summer transfer window, sporting director Dévy Rigaux has confirmed.

The highly-rated 20-year-old remained in Rotterdam despite attracting attention from several major European clubs.

Nottingham Forest and AS Roma went further than most by submitting offers for the right-back, but Feyenoord ultimately decided that Read’s development at the club was not yet complete.

That decision could make life significantly more difficult for Forest if they return for him in a future transfer window.

Manchester City’s interest in Read was not a late development.

City had already sent scouts to watch the defender last season as his performances in the Eredivisie began attracting attention from across Europe.

Bayern Munich were also monitoring his situation, although neither club ultimately pushed a transfer through.

Instead, Nottingham Forest and Roma emerged as the most determined suitors during the summer.

Both attempted to convince Feyenoord to sell, but the Dutch club resisted.

Rigaux, who arrived from Club Brugge in June, has now explained why Feyenoord were prepared to turn down significant interest in some of their most promising players.

“When I arrived, there were 44 players. We had to reduce the squad and the wage bill. But, at the same time, we needed to send out a message,” Rigaux told AS.

That message included refusing a substantial proposal from Roma for Read.

“We had a substantial offer from Roma for Givairo Read, our right-back. Bayern and City were also interested,” he confirmed.

Feyenoord believe keeping their leading young players for another stage of their development can ultimately increase both the strength of the team and their future transfer values.

“We refused to sell them because their time here wasn’t over yet, and we know that if the team improves, they’ll be worth even more,” Rigaux added.

Forest repeatedly pursued Read during the summer and appeared determined to bring the Netherlands youngster to the Premier League.

The problem is that the competition could now become considerably stronger.

Confirmation that Manchester City and Bayern Munich have already shown interest demonstrates the level of club monitoring his development.

If Read continues progressing at Feyenoord and performs well in the Champions League, his valuation is only likely to increase.

That could leave Forest facing not only a larger transfer fee but competition from clubs capable of offering regular Champions League football and significantly greater financial resources.

There is little immediate pressure on Feyenoord to sell.

Read is contracted until 2029 and is currently valued at around €25m by Transfermarkt. He has also started the new season with an assist from his opening five appearances.

Feyenoord’s strategy appears clear: they believe another season of development can increase his value substantially.

For Manchester City and Bayern Munich, that may not represent a major obstacle should either decide to make a serious move.

For Nottingham Forest, however, failing to complete the transfer during the summer may eventually prove costly.

Read now has the Champions League as another platform on which to demonstrate his ability, beginning with Feyenoord’s meeting with Barcelona.

Strong performances in Europe could quickly intensify the transfer interest already surrounding him. Forest may remain admirers, but with Manchester City and Bayern Munich already monitoring the defender, the race for his signature could look very different by the next summer window.