Serie A defender on Manchester City’s transfer radar amid right-back concerns | OneFootball

Manchester City have identified a profile of player currently operating in Italy’s top-flight as a potential solution to their problems at right-back, it has been claimed.

Despite Pep Guardiola’s squad boasting some of Europe’s finest talents, the right side of defence has remained an area of uncertainty for more than a year following high-profile departures from the squad.

João Cancelo’s exit left a tactical gap that City have since attempted to cover through adaptation, while Kyle Walker’s initial loan move to AC Milan in January was followed up by a permanent switch to Burnley prior to the brand new and ongoing season.

One of the most notable examples of tactical adaptation came last season, when Matheus Nunes was frequently deployed at right-back and though his technical ability allowed him to progress the ball, Manchester City staff are aware that using a converted midfielder in such a role is not a sustainable solution across a 60-game campaign.

Similarly, academy graduate Rico Lewis has shown maturity and versatility, but doubts remain internally about whether he can command the position week in, week out at the very highest level.

That sense of improvisation has left the Etihad Stadium’s hierarchy intent on finding a natural fit in the upcoming windows. Manchester City’s summer transfer activity reflected their determination to address weaker points, from midfield reinforcements such as Tijjani Reijnders, to longer-term planning with investments in youth talents.

The right-back slot, however, has become one of the last glaring gaps still in need of a specialist and having failed to do a deal for Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento, the season has started without a natural operator in the role.

According to the information of Football Insider, Inter’s Denzel Dumfries is now a player on Manchester City’s transfer radar, with the Dutch international himself having been clear about wanting to play in the Premier League.

On the subject of Manchester City’s existing options in the right-back role, which include Matheus Nunes, the report claims that coaches do not see Rico Lewis as the answer to the problem position.

With right-back claimed to be a position ‘they really want to strengthen in’, City have a few targets on their radar, in addition to the profile of the aforementioned Dumfries.

The 29-year-old combines pace, power, and an attacking drive that mirrors how Joao Cancelo once offered a dual role as both a defender and playmaker from wide areas. His UEFA Champions League pedigree also ensures he could transition seamlessly into a side regularly challenging for honours.

What remains to be seen is how City prioritise the signing within the context of other squad concerns in the new year, with the January transfer window also threatening to arise departures for player’s approaching the end of their contracts such as Bernardo Silva and John Stones.

Balancing those moving parts with a targeted move for Denzel Dumfries may ultimately shape the final structure of Pep Guardiola’s defensive set-up for the second-half of the campaign, despite the club traditionally not willing to do big-name business at the midway stage of a season.

If no permanent signing is made, City will continue to lean on tactical flexibility and squad depth to navigate the season. However, the growing sense appears to be that Guardiola and his staff have run out of patience with stop-gap solutions at right-back.