da realbet： Pep Guardiola's side have had an almost perfect season, but there is still room to improve, so who should they buy to build on their success?
da bet7： How do Manchester City top a season like this? They have just wrapped up a third Premier League title and are on a quest to complete the treble. But Pep Guardiola has never stood still and is already planning the squad for next season.
It seems crazy to say it after an utterly dominant campaign domestically and in Europe, but there are several areas of the squad City need to address. They are keen to sign a new centre-back, with Aymeric Laporte expected to part ways with the club, and are looking to add a wide forward and a midfielder, too.
GOAL assesses who City are most likely to sign to continue their era of hegemony…
GettyMateo Kovacic (Chelsea)
City could be braced to lose one or both of Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan this summer, so signing a midfielder is one of their top priorities. Kovacic is a player City have shown a lot of interest in as the Croatian's contract with Chelsea runs into its final year and they have already opened talks with Mauricio Pochettino's side.
The 29-year-old has stalled a bit at Chelsea and is on the club's for-sale list as they need to trim their squad. It might seem strange to see the champions go after a player who has underwhelmed in one of Chelsea's worst ever seasons, but Guardiola has long had a love affair with midfielders, once stating that his dream would be to field 10 midfielders in a starting 11.
Kovacic is a tireless player who always puts in the work and has excellent ability for maintaining possession. He also has a superb attitude and will not kick up a fuss if he is left out for the odd game, something which is bound to happen when Guardiola is your coach.
AdvertisementGettyJosko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig)
Gvardiol is just the type of player Guardiola loves, and not just because their names sound similar! The Croatian has all the makings of a perfect utility player and could be the solution to several areas the coach needs to address, such as centre-back, full-back and midfield.
One of the breakout stars of the 2022 World Cup, Gvardiol is physically imposing yet technically brilliant, making him a perfect fit for the Premier League. And City have made his signing a priority for the summer.
Guardiola would relish turning him into a full-back that can effectively operate as a midfielder, just as he has done with Phillip Lahm, Joshua Kimmich, Dani Alves and Joao Cancelo in the past, and most recently with John Stones.
Gvardiol will not come cheap and City would expect to play between £70-80 million for him. But given he is only 21 and could stay at the club for a decade or more if things go well, it would be a price worth paying.
GettyJeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen)
City's long-term future at right-back is far from certain as Kyle Walker is 32, and although he has finished the season strongly, he has experienced spells out of the team and Guardiola brutally aired his own doubts about his ability as an inverted full-back.
Signing Frimpong would be a divergence from the inside full-back model Guardiola has favoured in the latter half of the season, but attacking full-backs are always in high demand and Frimpong is one of the best around right now.
The Dutchman has been one of the outstanding full-backs in the Bundesliga since joining Leverkusen from Celtic in 2021, scoring nine goals and 10 assists in the league and Europa League. He has been playing as a wing back in Xabi Alonso's 3-4-3 system, but has the ability to play in a back four or even further forward on the right wing.
Signing Frimpong would mean City would have to swallow their pride, as he spent nine years in their academy before leaving for Celtic in 2019 without having played for the first team. However, that could work to City's advantage as he already knows the club and the city of Manchester, so would have few troubles reintegrating.
Getty ImagesMoussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen)
Another area City are looking to strengthen is on the right of their attack to provide competition for Riyad Mahrez. And Diaby is one of the most exciting wide forwards in the world right now.
In the last two seasons, he has scored 31 goals and provided 25 assists, numbers to make any coach or sporting director sit up and take notice. The 23-year-old plays on the right but is naturally left-footed, loving to cut inside from the wing.
Diaby would cost City around £70m, but after making a profit on transfers last season and earning increased prize money for reaching the Champions League final, it is a fee they could comfortably afford.