Manchester City face Arsenal and Bayern Munich transfer battle for Feyenoord defender | OneFootball

Officials at Manchester City are currently facing competition from two of Europe’s biggest clubs in the chase to sign Feyenoord’s next rising defensive talent.

With Pep Guardiola and the Etihad Stadium’s hierarchy continuing to future-proof their defensive options, the right-back department remains a key focus following significant change during the summer.

Kyle Walker departed permanently for Burnley after a six-month loan spell at AC Milan last season, leaving Manchester City to reassess the balance and long-term structure of their backline.

City have explored internal solutions in recent months, with the likes of Abdukodir Khusanov offering encouragement prior to his injury setback, while Matheus Nunes has also been trialled in the role for some time and offering strong performances.

However, with the Premier League giants considering a new specialist right-back addition in upcoming transfer windows, attention has naturally shifted towards some of Europe’s brightest emerging full-backs.

City’s interest in a new name comes as part of a wider strategy to secure the next generation of elite talent, having already strengthened with up-and-coming profiles such as Claudio Echeverri and Vitor Reis.

According to the information of De Telegraaf, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, all of Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City are in the picture to sign Feyenoord’s 19-year-old right-back Givairo Read.

Despite the growing interest from some of the continent’s biggest clubs, the teenager said during a recent interview, “It doesn’t distract me, you know. I’m comfortable at Feyenoord, and my development here is the only thing on my mind.”

Read only joined the Rotterdam club’s academy in 2023 but accelerated into first-team contention almost immediately, becoming a standout in the Eredivisie. Since breaking through last season, Read has accumulated 47 appearances, delivering four goals and 11 assists.

Feyenoord are in a strong negotiating position with Read signing a new deal in April running until 2029, and with Transfermarkt valuing him at €20 million – a figure widely expected to rise – suitors may need to move early to avoid an inflated auction.

For Manchester City, the right-back picture remains open-ended. Much will hinge on Khusanov’s trajectory as well as the performances from both Matheus Nunes and Rico Lewis, and how Pep Guardiola views internal progression versus external recruitment.

What is clear is that the right-back position forms a key component of Manchester City’s next squad cycle. With Walker moving on and the club evolving stylistically, securing a long-term, high-ceiling solution remains firmly on the agenda.