Pep Guardiola was an active spender at the start of the season and the upcoming transfer window could be no different. Manchester City missed out on a couple of transfer targets in the January transfer window and might re-visit those targets at the end of the season.
One such player City are now considered favourites to land is French youngster Thomas Lemar.
City Favourites To Sign Lemar:
A transfer target for Arsenal and Liverpool, Lemar is one of the most exciting stars in Ligue 1 at the moment and was pretty close to joining Liverpool in January. He revealed his regret of not making the move and could be up for sale yet again in the summer transfer window.
The Reds are expected to be back in for him again but bookmakers Betfair have now placed Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City as firm favourites to sign Lemar at the end of the season, followed by Liverpool and Arsenal. But is he the right man for City?
Lemar And His Loss Of Form:
Having moved to Stade Louis II in 2015, Lemar announced himself to European football last season, where his 11 goals and 14 assists helped AS Monaco to the Ligue 1 title and also a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League. He was expected to continue the form this season but has managed just three goals and 8 assists, struggling to find any consistency.
An attacking midfielder, who can play through the middle and also on the wing, Lemar has been used as a no.10 just behind Radamael Falcao this season and has been superb in some games and ineffective in others.
Known for his pace, dribbling prowess and strength in hold up play, the 22-year old has great vision and is always looking for the killer pass and is really hard to mark. He is an energetic presence in the middle of the park and though he has to work on his defensive discipline, is more than effective playing as a part of the midfield.
He has immense potential and will only get better being around players with top quality.
But Is He The Right Man For City?
Guardiola has an envious first team with Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva playing mesmerizing football at the heart of the midfield. Both Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling have also been effective on the wings and all four players could remain the first choice for the manager next season with Bernardo Silva thrown into the mix.
So Lemar will have to fight for his place in the first team but with the player valued at £90m, he is not worth that figure for the Citizens. City cannot splash the cash this summer and will need to do their business elegantly and spending such amounts for a squad player does not fit in well at the moment.
Stats Courtesy: Whoscored