Manchester City may have won the league title this season but their failure in Europe will haunt Pep Guardiola this summer. The Spaniard will be ready to spend big yet again before the start of the next season and report has now outlined three superstars that he might try to sign this summer.
Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Leicester City’s Riyad Mahrez and PSG’s Kylian Mbappe are all on his radar, but who fits City’s needs best? Let’s take a look at each player’s chances at the club in detail:
Eden Hazard:
Probably one of the best playmakers in Europe at the moment, Hazard has not been at his best this season, but a lot of it has been to the lack of form of the players around him at Stamford Bridge. Capable of playing as a false-9, the Belgian international is at his best on the left wing in the attack, a role Leroy Sane has made his own at Etihad.
But Hazard is a genuine upgrade and will be a huge coup for Manchester City. He will be expensive but can walk into the first team and alongside the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva, can form a really dangerous partnership for City. His signing will mean City do not need any more backups for their wings, giving them another option to lead the attack as well.
Riyad Mahrez:
The Leicester City winger was close to a move to City in January but a deal fell through and it is imperative that Manchester City will be back in for him this summer. He might cost around £40m and is the least expensive of the three. He can play on the right wing in attack or as a part of a three-man midfield under Pep.
His previous experience of lifting the EPL trophy and the PFA Player of the Year award shows his quality and at just 27 years of age, is a decent option for City. He might replace Raheem Sterling on the wing and like Hazard, solves the issues in depth on the flanks. However, the Belgian is easily a better option than Mahrez, albeit an expensive one.
Kylian Mbappe:
The French starlet, who is making headlines every week in Ligue 1 is easily the most exciting teenager on show in Europe at the moment. He will play a huge role for his national side in Russia and at just 19, is gaining a lot of experience, which will attract Pep. He is a gifted footballer and can walk into most teams in Europe and will be a sensational signing for City and the Premier League.
The Citizens might lose Sergio Aguero this summer and Mbappe is as good a replacement as any. The French ace can play on the flanks and can lead that attack and his versatility will also solve the issues of depth in the squad. With PSG struggling to meet their FFP requirements, Mbappe might be sold just a year after he joined the French giants and City are one of the few teams who can even afford him.
He might be the most expensive option on this list but is probably the best fit for the project at Etihad.
