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‘It’s a dilemma’ – Man City tipped to sign Arsenal’s £7m man to replace suspended player

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Manchester City suspended Benjamin Mendy in August pending a police investigation over rape and sexual assault, resulting in the 27-year-old being remanded in custody ahead of a January trial, so the Sky Blues are making plans for life without him.

Oleksandr Zinchenko has been a regular at left-back in recent weeks, but Kevin Campbell believes City could make a move for Arsenal’s £7m signing Nuno Tavares. The 21-year-old is a talented defender but isn’t commanding a starting place at the Emirates Stadium, so Campbell believes a lofty bid from City may present Mikel Arteta with a “dilemma”.

He told Football Insider: “It is a dilemma for Arteta. The way Man City are, they are not afraid to look at one of our players. They will just make Arsenal an offer they can’t refuse. At Arsenal, Tavares is second choice really. If you are trying to progress the team, you shouldn’t sell though. It is a really tough situation.”

Tavarez joined the Gunners on a four-year deal from Benfica over the summer and has gone on to make 15 appearances in all competitions, grabbing one assist.

The Portuguese U21 international enjoyed a run of consecutive Premier League starts between mid-October and early-December, but he’s now behind Kieran Tierney in the pecking order.

Campbell added: “At the end of the day, it is about what Man City put on the table. Everybody has a price, let’s be honest. It’s a question of if or what they put on the table… £50million would be interesting.”

City have Zinchenko and Joao Cancelo who are natural fullbacks, plus Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Ake who can operate on the left in an emergency, so it’s hard to see them paying £50m for another left-back.

Arsenal won’t want to sell a player they’ve recently signed either, even if he’s not starting right now.

In other news, Man City given transfer boost in pursuit of £63.7m man with 76 goals in 74 games

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