‘Man City to spend big – five more big-name signings lined up’
Man City are planning to add at least five top-class signings to their squad in the summer amid concerns about a number of first-team stars.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Pep Guardiola’s squad still has multiple issues which need addressing.
The futures of Kevin de Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan, John Stones and Rodri are all up in the air and could all be replaced as part of a squad overhaul.
City spent big in January, with £180million forked out on the arrivals of Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez.
That level of spending is expected to continue in the summer, and their transfer kitty will be added to by any incoming fees for their out-of-favour stars.
Football Insider revealed on 17 February that Silva is wanted by clubs in Spain, Portugal and Saudi Arabia amid speculation over his future at the Etihad.
On top of that, De Bruyne is out of contract at the end of the season, Gundogan is now considered past his best, while there are concerns about Stones and Rodri’s injury issues.
Man City plot summer overhaul in new transfer twist
The ongoing concerns and issues within Guardiola’s squad mean City’s transfer team have been working overtime to identify potential replacements and areas to strengthen.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Guardiola’s side will be prepared to enter the transfer market once again come the summer.
“I’m expecting them to spend big again in the summer,” he told Football Insider.
“There’s a general weakness and concern throughout the team and a number of the players.
“Gundogan left, then came back, and there’s been a big drop off compared to his first spell there.
“They’ve got the issue with Rodri now, who has got to come back after a long injury, and there’s never any certainty he’ll be the same as he was.
“Then they’ve got Silva with question marks about his future at the club and De Bruyne is out of contract.
“Even John Stones, he’s had injury issues and hasn’t been at his best this season.
“When he’s the one coming into midfield who you’re having to hang your hat on, there’s an issue.
“So there are all these questions marks throughout the team which shows you where they are.
“This is the position they’ve found themselves in, and all of those players at some stage will probably have to be replaced in the market.
“Players like that don’t come cheap unless you’re going to risk a clear drop in quality.
“There are five or six players and positions that I expect they will address in the summer, because for the first time in a long time, they’ve got plenty of issues.“
Kevin de Bruyne replacement lined up under Pep Guardiola
City have already begun working on moves ahead of the summer transfer window, with a replacement for De Bruyne emerging near the top of their list of targets.
The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and no progress has been made towards any extension as things stand.
De Bruyne has been available to discuss terms over a pre-contract move abroad since the beginning of January, but is keeping his options open while he remains a City player.
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