Manchester City were rebuffed in their efforts to sign Marc Cucurella from Brighton & Hove Albion and saw Chelsea hijack their deal for the 24-year-old, so Pep Guardiola has been forced to turn his attentions elsewhere.
Transfer expert Ekrem Konur says the City manager now has his eye on Sergio Gomez. The 21-year-old joined RSC Anderlecht from Borussia Dortmund last summer and has a fantastic season which has seen his stock rise immensely.
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Gomez, who is also a former Barcelona player, has made 49 appearances in his debut season for Anderlecht, scoring seven goals with 15 assists. The Spain U21 international looks effective in both boxes which is exactly what Guardiola wants in a left-back.
Gomez featured in 39 league games last season, blocking 50 shots/passes/crosses, making 37 clearances, having 27/43 successful dribbles, whipping in 290 crosses, creating 65 chances and averaging a tackle (59) or interception (51) every 30 minutes.
It’s easy to see why City would be keen, as Guardiola must rely on Joao Cancelo in a makeshift role or one of Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte to move from centre-back to left-back. Josh Wilson-Esbrand is another option after he impressed in pre-season, but he’s still young and inexperienced.
Konur says Gomez is keen on a move to the Etihad too, so time will tell if they land their man.
In other news, Frank McAvennie says Marc Cucurella wouldn’t get into Man City’s starting eleven