Manchester City are reportedly planning to sign OGC Nice striker Amine Gouiri when the summer transfer window rolls on next year.
The Sky Blues were on the hunt for a striker during the summer transfer window after the departure of Sergio Aguero to Barcelona. The English champions spent the entire summer chasing Tottenham striker Harry Kane but failure to sign him saw them end up with no replacement for Aguero.
According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wants to bring OGC Nice’s Amine Gouiri to the Etihad Stadium. The report adds the Cityzens would have to splash around €50 million to sign the young striker, who has a contract at Les Aiglons until 2024.
A product of the Lyon youth academy, Amine Gouiri, 21, managed only 15 first-team appearances after breaking into the senior team during the 2017/18 season. The France under-21 international was snapped up by OGC Nice for a paltry fee of €7 million in the summer transfer window last year.
And it has already proved to be a snip for Nice, as the striker of Algerian descent bagged 16 goals in 41 appearances in all formats during his debut campaign at Les Aiglons. Gouiri has taken his game to the next level under the management of Christophe Galtier this season, registering six goals and four assists in 12 Ligue 1 appearances to date.
Amine Gouiri to Manchester City—Should the Sky Blues go for him?
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City haven’t faced much problems in scoring goals this season despite the absence of an out-and-out number nine. Gabriel Jesus has enjoyed his new role on the right, while Phil Foden, Ferran Torres and Kevin De Bruyne have been rotated for the false 9 position in Guardiola’s system.
However, Torres has been ruled out for more than two months after fracturing his foot on international duty with Spain and De Bruyne hasn’t hit his usual heights yet this season. Also, while the numbers maybe high, City’s scoring pattern has been somewhat hit and miss this season. Pep’s men have managed to score loads of goals in games they have clicked while they have conversely failed to trouble the opposition keeper in games they haven’t been perfect.
While the reported names have differed, it is clear that Pep will move for a striker sooner rather than later.
Amine Gouiri has already shown his quality over the last two Ligue 1 seasons, impressing with his versatility, speed, technical abilities and deceptive movement in the final third. The Frenchman has been lethal in front of goal this season, whilst linking well with his fellow forwards in Nice colours.
The 21-year-old likes to take on defenders with his ball control and pace. He times his runs to perfection in the box to finish off chances, and such ruthlessness in front of goal combined with his versatility, energy, work ethic, movement and tactical understanding of the game would make him ideal for Man City.
At 21, Gouiri has his whole career ahead of him and he can unlock his true potential under the watchful eyes of Pep Guardiola. Reported to cost in the region of €50 million, the OGC Nice man could turn out to be a smart long-term investment for Manchester City.
