Exclusive: Manchester City plans to sign a left-back this summer and they have a host of targets identified | OneFootball

One position that Manchester City have always seemed to need to cover is left-back. Under Pep Guardiola, we have seen Fabian Delph, Olexander Zinchenko, and, more recently, Josko Gvardiol employed in the position. But it has always appeared that City could do with signing a specialist left-back. Esteemed Kompany sources have revealed that it is a position that Manchester City are working on improving this summer. It has also been learned by Esteemed Kompany that City have a list of players they are targeting to add a proper left-back to Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Esteemed Kompany has learned that Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso is Manchester City’s primary target to fill the left-back position this summer. But if they can’t sign the Italian international, they have also drawn up a list of alternative transfer targets if they fail to sign Cambiaso.

It has been revealed that Manchester City have their eye on Destiny Udogie, Theo Hernandez, Milos Kerkez, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Àlvaro Carreras of Benfica and Crystal Palace defender Tyrick Mitchel. Each player has the necessary attributes to complement what Manchester City already have. Furthermore, it has also been revealed that City have set aside a significant transfer budget to strengthen the left-back position this summer.

If Manchester City sign a left-back it will open up a host of options for Pep Guardiola.

It speaks to Pep Guardiola’s brilliance as a manager that he has taken Manchester City so far without a specialist left-back. As this season has unfolded you do feel that they would greatly benefit from adding both a left and right-back. But the left-back situation isn’t a new issue. But if City could sign a specialist in the role it would open up a host of options for Pep Guardiola.

The first one is that Josko Gvardiol could potentially move to centre-back. Gvardiol has impressed in Manchester City’s recent matches in the role. By adding a proper left-back Gvardiol could stay in this position. That would allow Gvardiol to play in the position he has always appeared destined to fulfil for City.

The other benefit of Manchester City signing a left-back is it could add more attacking variety to City’s play. Nico O’Reilly has added another dimension to City’s play recently. If City were to sign Andrea Cambiaso or Milos Kerkez, for example, the opportunity is there for Pep Guardiola to employ an overlapping left-back. That may help City provide more service for Erling Haaland. The same can be said for AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez and Wolves defender Rayan Ait-Nouri. Àlvaro Carreras is solid defensively for Benfica as is Tyrick Mitchell for Crystal Palace. But it appears that City have a variety of players they are looking to sign at left-back.

Final thoughts.

It isn’t a surprise to learn that Andrea Cambiaso is Manchester City’s number-one target for the left-back position. The Italian international appears suited to playing in Pep Guardiola’s side. Michael Sakr has relayed a report from Calciomercato for JuveFC.com that Juventus could sell Cambiaso for €50 million. If that report is correct you sense that City could wrap up that particular deal relatively quickly.

But as Esteemed Kompany sources have revealed City have alternative targets in place if the Cambiaso deal isn’t done. So Manchester City are planning ahead for all possibilities to sign a left-back.