According to a recent rumor, Manchester City's top center-back target is RB Leipzig's Joko Gvardiol.
Chelsea's continued pursuit of Nathan Ake may compel City, who have already upgraded their offense, midfield, and goalkeeping positions this summer, to join the transfer market for a new defender.
The Dutch defender has made 40 appearances since joining City from Bournemouth for £41 million in 2020, and is one of two City players that Premier League rival Chelsea are interested in signing. This is because new owner Todd Boehly wants to bolster Thomas Tuchel's team.
Manchester City's Nathan Ake in action. (Image)
During the remaining summer transfer window, Guardiola's team is still anticipated to try to buy a left-back, with Brighton full-back Marc Cucurella being mentioned.
Marc Cucurella, a fullback for Brighton, has been mentioned as the Sky Blues' main target.
Should Ake go back to Stamford Bridge, the team where the 27-year-old started his English football career, a left-sided central defender would also be on the menu.
The Dutchman is said to have reached a personal agreement with the West London team, however negotiations over a transfer cost are still ongoing between the two clubs.
The Premier League Champions were reportedly unwilling to approve the trade in the absence of a competent replacement, with Guardiola reportedly hesitant to start such a demanding and stressful campaign with only three senior center-backs.
According to The Daily Mail, should Ake decide to go from Blue to Royal Blue this summer, Man City's main aim would be the RB Leipzig center-back Joko Gvardiol.
Gvardiol, who played 45 times for Leipzig in all competitions last season, was one of the standout players for the Bundesliga teams as they defeated Union Berlin to finish in the top four in Germany.
In the Europa League semifinal matchup against Rangers, Joko Gvardiol was in action. Image source:image.
However, SportsMail reports that the 20-year-old is close to signing a new contract with RB Leipzig and that any summer transfer for the Croatian defender would probably prove to be too pricey for City.
Nathan Ake's participation in Man City's upcoming preseason tour of the US is still unknown. On Saturday, July 16, Guardiola's team is scheduled to fly to the US for friendlies against Club America and Bayern Munich.
Raheem Sterling, who agreed to a five-year contract with Stamford Bridge in a deal for reportedly £50 million, is already close to finalizing his transfer.
Raheem Sterling, the game's seventh-place Manchester City player, with the ball. (Image)
Sterling is the most recent player to leave the Etihad Stadium this summer, with Gabriel Jesus having completed a £45 million move to Arsenal and Fernandinho having returned to Brazil.
Next month, Man City will start defending their Premier League championship on the road against West Ham at the London Stadium, including a number of new players in Guardiola's starting lineup, including Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, and Kalvin Phillips.
Julian Alvarez, Stefan Ortega, and Erling Haaland interact with Manchester City supporters.(Image)
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