Footie Central | Football Blog Blogging the football world
Manchester City have begun their preparations for the new season by spending big this summer, bringing in Rodri from Atletico Madrid for £62.8m.
He’s been brought in as the natural successor to Fernandinho, according to the Metro, with the 34-year-old showing signs of slowing down.
The 22-year-old Rodri has only been back at Atletico for one season, but opted to jump ship as soon as the Premier League champions came calling.
Pep Guardiola’s side pipped Liverpool to the title by the narrowest of margins last season, but the one competition they truly want to win still eludes them. It sits in the Anfield trophy cabinet currently, something Guardiola will be fighting hard to correct with a busy summer of recruitment.
We take a look at a couple of the transfer targets he’s identified and how they could boost the current squad.
Harry Maguire
One huge piece of business this summer could see an England star move to the Etihad. A Man City transfer report by bwin Football claims that the club have been looking at Harry Maguire to replace Vincent Kompany.
Maguire is a product of the Sheffield United youth system and is very much an ‘old school’ defender. He’s strong in the air, solid in the challenge and has proven himself on the international stage with England.
It could be a positive for Gareth Southgate as well; it would unite him with Three Lions teammate John Stones, allowing them to build up a greater understanding – this time at domestic level.
Joao Cancelo
Danilo cost City £26m in 2017 according to the BBC, but he’s thought to be the makeweight in a deal that could see Portuguese right back Joao Cancelo move to the Etihad as competition for Kyle Walker.
Cancelo lifted the Nations League with his home nation this summer, as well as helping Juventus to the Serie A title. He’s young, exciting and can operate further up the field as well, fitting in perfectly with Guardiola’s attacking ethos.
It’s thought Juventus are not sold on the Brazilian though and they’re hoping to get £54m, not the £36m plus player Sky Sports report City are willing to offer.
Nathan Ake
It’s been reported Ake is likely to sign for Man City this summer, with the Dutch international almost certainly ready to take the next step up from Bournemouth.
He’s a former Chelsea youth player who had to move to the south coast in order to play first team football. He’s been a key part of the Cherries becoming established in the Premier League and would offer serious competition on the left side of defence, particularly to Bernard Mendy.
Ilay Elmkies
The ‘new Thiago’ is currently on the books of Hoffenheim, but is a target for City as well as Manchester rivals United.
The 19-year-old Israeli midfielder only has a handful of appearances to his name and would surely be one for the future.
Isco
David Silva’s announcement that this is his last season has prompted Guardiola to target his replacement in the Spain side, Isco.
The 27-year-old won’t come cheap though, he’s valued at around £72m despite Real wanting to offload him to fund new purchases.
Founder and editor of Footiecentral. A voracious reader who loves reading anything and everything related to the history of football. He’s an ardent supporter of Manchester United and rarely misses a match.