“I want him desperately” – Pep Guardiola issues plea as Manchester City’s right-back search takes fresh twist | OneFootball

Manchester City’s search for a new right-back in the transfer market has taken a fresh twist following comments issued by manager Pep Guardiola this week.

The recruitment drive led by Hugo Viana heightened prior to the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup with the arrival of four new faces into the first-team squad, but left lingering doubts over whether any further business could be conducted during the rest of the summer.

One name that has remained at the forefront of the club’s thinking is Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento, with talks over the England Under-21 international placed on hold prior to the United States-based tournament following differences over valuations on the defender.

Interest in a new right-back comes as Manchester City continue to search for a new opportunity for Kyle Walker, who is no longer in the plans of Pep Guardiola, and amid doubts over the viability of Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes as season-long options.

But the performances of the latter at the ongoing Club World Cup may have forced a change of thinking, with his manager coming out with the highest of praise for his output on the field following the latest victory in the US.

Speaking after Manchester City’s 2-5 win over Juventus on Thursday night, Pep Guardiola was keen to issue significant praise on the rise of Matheus Nunes as an option at right-back for his side, insisting on wanting the Portuguese international to be a part of his squad for the future.

“Matheus, for needs, adapted unbelievably as a full-back,” Guardiola told reporters from the Camping World Stadium this week.

“I think he can be an incredible full-back because he’s smart going from outside, when he goes inside he attacks really good the spaces like he’s a holding midfielder and a midfield player that has quality to play there,” he continued.

“He has an incredible pace that we don’t have! The pace for the second goal, the movement in-behind. So I think Matheus has done an incredible step up, we need him a lot, I want him desperately to be with us.

“He’s incredibly loved by all his mates, he’s a funny, funny guy – it doesn’t look like it when he plays football. But I’m really, really pleased; he can be an incredible full-back!”

The former Wolves star is likely to get another opportunity to impress in the knockout stages of the Club World Cup next week, after FIFA confirmed an extended ban had been issued to Rico Lewis following his straight red card against Wydad AC on matchday one.

Manchester City take on Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Tuesday night, in what will also be a reunion with former defensive star Joao Cancelo.

For now, it remains to be seen whether Matheus Nunes’ showings in the US will be enough to convince Guardiola and his staff of having a role in the position for the duration of the season, and decisions over a signing at right-back will likely wait until the end of the tournament.