Many Manchester City supporters have been urging the Etihad Stadium outfit against entering a bidding war with Paris Saint-Germain for Juventus forward Douglas Costa.
Costa has emerged as a potential summer target for Man City as Juventus are looking to offload the Brazilian in order to raise funds for the signing of Gonzalo Higuain’s successor, as per reports by Tuttosport.
Pep Guardiola is said to be wanting a reunion with Costa at the close of the current campaign having worked alongside the 29-year-old for a season at Bayern Munich, in which the Bavarian side lifted the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles.
Any move by Guardiola and City to sign Costa would see the Etihad Stadium outfit rival PSG’s pursuit, with the French giants already sounding out their interest in a forward Juve value between €40m and €50million (£36.3m-£45.4m).
Many City supporters do not seem to feel an offer in that region would be money well spent by Guardiola this summer, having flocked to social media to urge their side against a pursuit.
Costa has featured in 21 of Juventus’ Serie A fixtures this term, in which he has averaged just 0.6 shots per game, 1.2 key passes, 15.1 accurate passes, 2.0 successful dribbles and 2.5 ground duels won (53%), according to data collected this season by Sofa Score.
we don’t want the fraud https://t.co/05akqlD0rC
— AB ✊🏿 (@RazSterIing) July 19, 2020
We dont need him
— Zavb9ss (@zavb9ss) July 19, 2020
Absolutely not
— CopalNine (@CopalNine) July 19, 2020
NAw I’m out. Thanks though
— Kenny Taig (@KennyT1985) July 19, 2020
Don’t go for this foolishness. Retain Augero. Or sign Inter forward https://t.co/F2HXPduKtF
— Dummy (@try_hoax) July 19, 2020
Costa’s age, more so than the potential fee in question, has led many City supporters to urge their side against a formal approach, feeling that he is too old and that the Sky Blues need to prioritise their search on younger players.
City have had one of the highest average ages per squad in the Premier League this season at 26.7, with only Sheffield United (26.9), West Ham (27.4), Burnley (28.1), Watford (28.4) and Crystal Palace (29.0) coming in higher.
The youngest average age of one of Guardiola’s squads in the top-flight this term was 25.5, which the Spanish tactician named in July’s 4-0 trouncing of title-winners Liverpool, who on average have named a squad with an age of 26.6.
Manchester United have boasted the youngest average age at 24.7, ahead of Arsenal (25.1), AFC Bournemouth (25.1) and Chelsea (25.2).
29?! No thanks we need youth.
— MikethaManc (@MikethaManc) July 19, 2020
Costa is ancient, we need younger players
— Thabile 🇿🇦 (@Thabile08731470) July 19, 2020
Not all Man City supporters would be against signing Costa, however, with some in favour of a move for the Brazilian who has scored three goals and assisted a further seven over 27 outings in all competitions during what has been a season plagued by injuries.
We need to get him and Bale I think its time now he comes back to EPL bale can do us good
— Albert Motsamai (@AlbertMotsamai1) July 19, 2020
Yes!!!! Lets get him please.
— Oscarfranklincfr (@Oscarfranklincf) July 19, 2020