Ben Guest
Manchester City are apparently ‘prioritising’ the addition of a centre-back to their ranks, with potentially up to six new signings arriving at the club by the end of the summer transfer window.
Man City‘s pursuit of a third consecutive Premier League crown looks all but over having slipped 14 points behind the relentless league leaders, Liverpool, who still have a game in hand over the chasing pack.
There have been many questions asked about Pep Guardiola‘s decision not to bring in a replacement for club legend, Vincent Kompany, in the summer, with the early-season injury to Aymeric Laporte further compounding the problem, with John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi being left as the only recognised central defenders.
According to the Telegraph, City will now prioritise the addition of a new centre-back, naming Villarreal’s Pau Torres and Benfica’s Ruben Dias as potential signings, while Leicester’s Caglar Soyuncu has previously been linked following his impressive season with the Foxes, though it is unlikely that the club sign anyone in this months transfer window.
However, the report also says the club could make ‘between four and six signings’ in the summer, depending on who departs.
David Silva is already confirmed to be leaving the club at the end of the current campaign which should see Phil Foden afforded more opportunities, though Atletico Madrid’s Saul Niguez has been linked as a more direct replacement, while Leroy Sane has been strongly tipped to return to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich known to be big admirers.
Real Sociedad’s Mikel Oyarzabal has been touted as a potential replacement for Sane, while the Etihad based outfit have also been tipped to try to fix their issues at left-back, with Leicester’s Ben Chilwell thought to be a target.
The report also suggests City could target a new striker to become the successor to the ageing Sergio Aguero, with club officials questioning Gabriel Jesus’s ability to replace the 32-year-old Argentina international for the long-term.
See also – Five of the best young newcomers to the Premier League this season