Pep Guardiola will be keen to strengthen his Manchester City squad but some of his key players could be leaving this summer.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
It's no secret to Manchester City fans that some of the team's first-team stars could leave this summer.
Bernardo Silva and captain Ilkay Gundogan have both been linked with leaving the Etihad. With Gundogan's contract set to expire this summer, he has been linked with a free transfer to Barcelona and Bernardo is said to be a priority for Paris Saint-Germain.
Pep Guardiola is not one to stand in a player's way if he has expressed a desire to progress, and his team's sometimes inconsistent performance probably means we are more likely to witness the departures when the window opens. If Bernardo moves to Paris, the Blues will be looking for an energetic midfielder to replace him. With Gavi's future at Barcelona looking uncertain, the Spaniard could be a great choice for City.
The Golden Boy award winner has an incredible passing vision and dribbling ability that is hard to find even in Europe's top leagues. On top of that, he can play in a variety of positions, a trait Bernardo shares. Combine that with his La Masia upbringing and you have the perfect Guardiola player. Sticking in midfield and being the first signing under Guardiola City's reign, Gundogan is likely to leave City with a new contract.
The obvious target was Jude Bellingham. He is arguably world football's most exciting young midfielder at the moment, but City won't be the only ones trying to secure the former Birmingham City man's signature, so there may be a need for another choice.
One player City are interested in is former Real Madrid player Mateo Kovacic. The Chelsea midfielder has started just 11 of Chelsea's Premier League games this season, and with the recent arrival of record-keeper Enzo Fernandez, his days at Stamford Bridge may be numbered. The four-time Champions League winner will bring a wealth of experience to Etihad that any team will benefit from. His experience and ability to drive on the pitch could play a key role in the club's quest for European glory and he would be a much cheaper option than Bellingham.
Since the departures of Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus last summer, the wings have really lacked rhythm. Napoli talent Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has lit up Serie A this season and would be an incredible signing. However, with a rumored price tag of £100m, it's worth looking at other options. Advance Serge Gnabry.
The former Arsenal player is now one of the mainstays of the German team. Gnabry has won the Champions League, Club World Cup, 4 Bundesliga titles and 2 German Cups. The 27-year-old is entering his prime and what better place to spend that time with one of football's greatest coaches at Man City?
City's lack of depth and quality in defence is perhaps their biggest weakness. Since the departures of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Joao Cancelo, Guardiola has been forced to be creative in choosing left-backs, while Sergio Gomez is having a hard time adapting.
Raphael Guerreiro could be a great option for Man City. The 29-year-old has started all 19 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund this season and has scored three goals and provided nine assists.
Having been with Dortmund since 2016, the Portugal international may think now is the right time to join one of Europe's top clubs.
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