Manchester City eyeing up four Monaco players for summer raid

Manchester City are weighing up moves for up to four young Monaco stars, with Pep Guardiola looking to revamp his squad in the summer.

Manchester City are currently embroiled in a riveting Champions League tie with Monaco. But that’s not the only meeting Pep Guardiola is hoping for with the current French league leaders.

Guardiola is looking to revamp his City squad in the summer and is eyeing up four of Monaco’s current starters, according to the Daily Star. Thomas Lemar, Kylian Mbappe, Fabinho and Benjamin Mendy are the players on Guardiola’s radar and would cost around £140 million.

Guardiola needs an influx of youth and energy with his current squad ageing. The likes of Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus have been a breathe of fresh air in recent weeks. But Guardiola needs even more youth before his squad is fully revitalized.

Lemar is a talented offensive midfielder who can play centrally as a number 10 or out wide. However, Guardiola doesn’t tend to play with a number 10 at City, with both David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne playing more orthodox midfield roles.

Meanwhile, Mbappe is a pacy attacker who is often compared to Thierry Henry. The Frenchman scored against City in the first leg of the the pair’s round of 16 Champions League tie. Guardiola likes pace in attack and it is easy to see why Mbappe would appeal to the City boss.

Mendy is a lung-bursting left-back who offers great width and crossing whenever he ventures forward. The left-back spot is a role City do need to upgrade, too. Aleksandar Kolarov has been used at center-back more often this season. Whilst 31-year-old Gael Clichy is out of contract in the summer.

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Finally, Fabinho is a versatile right-back who also stars in midfield. The Brazilian has an incredible engine and offers the kind of energy, combined with technical ability, that Guardiola loves. Much like at left-back, City also need to upgrade in the right-back position also.

Pablo Zabaleta is 32 years old now and Bacary Sagna is 34 years old. Both players are out of contract in the summer and it is hard to imagine both returning. At least one will leave for a younger arrival, perhaps even both.

Fabinho would be a good option for Guardiola in that position, and he could also offer more energy and dynamism to the midfield when asked. Of the four, Fabinho and Mendy are to two players Manchester City really need to sign the most.

With Sane, Jesus and Sterling all fit, Mbappe would have a fight to get into the first team. Although, the options would obviously be great for Guardiola. Whilst Lemar would also likely be fighting for a similar wide role. If not, then Lemar could also fight for a midfield role with Silva or De Bruyne.

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Again, great options, but not a necessity. The two players Guardiola truly needs is Fabinho and Mendy. Manchester City need to add some youth and sharpness to their defense and both would fit the bill perfectly.

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