Manchester City had a frustrating end to their 2019/20 season – they finished second in the Premier League despite being tipped for the title, lost their FA Cup semi-final tie against Arsenal, and crashed out of the Champions League quarter-finals to French club Olympique Lyonnais – finishing the season with just the Carabao Cup to their name.
With another big season ahead, the next Premier League campaign could prove pivotal in Pep Guardiola’s career, with the possibility of him moving on growing greater by the day with the club still failing to win the Champions League – a trophy that has eluded Guardiola ever since his time at Barcelona.
At a club such as Manchester City, however, money is no issue, and they will have no problems in trying to strengthen their squad even further to try and secure every trophy in all competitions they take part in. This is something that has helped to keep Guardiola in Manchester for as long as he has – due to the financial backing and trust from the Manchester City board virtually handing him a blank check year in year out.
So with all this money, who would be the most realistic signings for City this summer?
Ismaël Bennacer
The 22-year-old midfielder has been in fine form this season for AC Milan – the Algerian international joined Milan at the beginning of August last year from Empoli, and has had a fantastic first season with the club.
Bennacer made 31 league appearances, scoring just the one goal, but averaging 2.2 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per game – as well as this, the defensive midfielder is a great passer of the ball, with an 88.3% pass success rate and averaging 56.8 passes per game.
His style of play would suit City very well and would be welcome assistance in defensive midfield for Rodri, especially with the need to soon find a replacement for the aging Fernandinho.
Diego Carlos
The Brazilian defender has been a rock at the back for Spanish outfit Sevilla during the 2019/20 campaign and has even helped the club to the Europa League final. Carlos joined the club from French club Nantes at the beginning of the season, and his defensive numbers from this season have impressed.
The 27-year-old kept 17 clean sheets in 35 games in La Liga, as well as winning 2.8 aerial duels and averaging 5 clearances per game.
His physical prowess would be something that Manchester City would gain from, and would make an ample replacement of Vincent Kompany due to the similarities of the two – and would make a great partnership on the right-hand side of City’s defence alongside Aymeric Laporte.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Despite his age, Kalidou Koulibaly would make a good choice in defence for Manchester City and is rated as one of the best defenders in the world.
According to Sky Italy – the club are keen on signing Koulibaly even though he is 29 years old, and along with the fact that Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has valued him at £72 million, it seems like an odd transfer at first glance.
However, after deliberation, it could prove to be a great addition – the player’s ability is a given and there is no doubting that, but the blend of youth and experience with himself and Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte and Nathan Aké could create one of the best defences in the world given the chance to work.
Douglas Luiz
The Citizens sold Douglas Luiz to Aston Villa last year for just over £15 million – but recent reports have suggested that the club are looking to activate a £25 million buy-back clause in Luiz’s contract this summer.
Guardiola was said to have highly rated the player, but he never made an appearance for City due to issues with trying to gain a work permit.
The 22-year-old had a great breakthrough season with Aston Villa in the Premier League – scoring 3 goals with 2 assists and playing 36/38 games for Dean Smith’s side – with Douglas Luiz an almost like for like replacement for club veteran Fernandinho.
Lionel Messi
If you’d have asked me at the start of the season I’d of simply replied with “yeah, okay mate” – but this seems like a move that could genuinely and realistically happen this summer given recent circumstances.
After Barcelona’s shocking defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League, Messi has reportedly told the club he wants to leave immediately, and Manchester City have been named the frontrunners for the six-time Ballon d’Or winners signature – which is understanding given the relationship between himself and City manager Guardiola, as well as the fact that City would have no problems covering his wages.
All-in-all, it’s become a realistic signing that would change the landscape for Manchester City.