Pep Guardiola has four centre-backs to take into next season – Ruben Dias, John Stones, Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte – but Ake’s uncertain future could lead Manchester City to sign a replacement this summer. The 27-year-old has been linked with a move to Chelsea and Corriere dello Sport (h/t Sport Witness) say Matthijs de Ligt has been identified as his potential successor.
Read Man City don’t believe the 22-year-old will be on his way to the Etihad Stadium unless Ake is sold, but City have competition from Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool. De Ligt may not command a starting place at centre-back with Dias and Laporte forming a solid partnership, so time will tell if he comes to Manchester.
Should Pep Guardiola sell Nathan Ake?
Yes
No
De Ligt’s lofty asking price might be a problem too. Juventus are requesting £76.2m for the Netherlands international which might be too steep for a player that isn’t guaranteed a starting place. That’s not to say De Ligt wouldn’t improve the squad, however. Last season, he boasted more tackles (34) than Laporte (33) and more interceptions (26) than Dias (23).
The 22-year-old was dribbled past only three times in 31 Serie A appearances, making 97 clearances and blocking 21 shots, so it’s easy to see why he’d be on City’s wishlist. Whether they land his signature remains to be seen, however.
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