Manchester City have added a central midfielder to their summer transfer wishlist as Pep Guardiola looks to bolster his team.
City are aiming to start next season with at least three new faces, according to Sportsmail, after Wednesday's dramatic Champions League loss at Real Madrid.
To address a vacancy up front, the Premier League winners are poised to sign striker Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, while Guardiola will scout Argentina forward Julian Alvarez during pre-season.
However, the City manager is also searching for a midfielder who can play both in a defensive holding role and in a more advanced one.
Guardiola intended to sign Frenkie de Jong from Ajax three years ago, but Barcelona beat him to the signing.
If Barca is forced to sell the 24-year-old due to financial constraints, they may revive their interest. De Jong was on the verge of joining Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium in 2019 — members of his family had examined residences in the region — before deciding on the Catalan giants.
Fernandinho, the club captain, just stated that he will leave in the summer, ending his legendary nine-year stint.
Gabriel Jesus, Raheem Sterling, Ilkay Gundogan, and Riyad Mahrez are four first-team regulars who are reaching the end of their contracts.
For the bulk of the season, Guardiola has utilised five central midfielders for three positions, and there is a notion that City needs to increase their numbers in that area. There's a chance that 19-year-old James McAtee, who is highly regarded by the coaching staff, will get more playing time next season.
Haaland is set to sign with City this summer, according to Sportsmail, which would be a huge statement of intent.
Alvarez, who joined from River Plate in January for £14.1 million before returning on loan, will have the opportunity to impress Guardiola. Arsenal is keeping an eye on Jesus, a forward who is comparable to Alvarez.
City will now focus on keeping Liverpool at bay in the title chase, and they return to play against Newcastle on Sunday.
Kyle Walker's fitness was questioned on Wednesday night as the right back walked off, and Aymeric Laporte was spotted battling with an injury in extra time. A muscle ailment kept John Stones out of the game.
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