“Who can replace Fernandinho?” – The transfer moves Man City are expected to make next
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has a very difficult job on his hands this summer.
Of course, the reigning Premier League champions are not in need of a rebuild. Far from it. However, improving a squad that is bordering on one of the strongest ever assembled is not a straightforward task.
The Citizens have already seen seasoned veteran and captain Vincent Kompany head back to Anderlecht, while Patrick Roberts has joined Norwich City on a season-long loan deal.
But Guardiola is yet to dip his toe into the transfer market in regards to incomings as he looks for the select few capable of taking his side to the next level.
A new holding midfielder is likely to be high on the Spaniard’s wish list, with Fernandinho approaching the twilight years of his career given the physical prowess required to enforce proceedings in the centre of midfield.
City are also expected to be in the market for another defender in order to ease the loss of Kompany, with Leicester’s Harry Maguire and Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt both mentioned as potential targets.
A new striker is not out of the question either, despite an already solid front line containing the likes of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus. Why? Well, money is seemingly no object.
What exactly should Guardiola do next? Time is on his side but with Liverpool determined to bolster their ranks and mount another title challenge, not even City can afford to stand still this summer.
City will also be keen to finally crack the Champions League nut, having failed to make a serious splash in Europe’s primary club competition since Sheikh Mansour’s arrival. It’s tough at the top, isn’t it?
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