Manchester City and Barcelona seem to share strong ties with each other.
First things first, what both clubs share in common is Pep Guardiola, who is widely considered as the greatest manager in their history.
Secondly, Manchester City and Barcelona have done business on plenty of instances in recent years, with Ilkay Gundogan returning to the Etihad Stadium after signing for the Spanish giants last year as well as other players playing for both clubs like Eric Garcia and Joao Cancelo.
This time around, Barcelona as well as Manchester City intend to sign Denzel Dumfries.
Denzel Dumfries ahead of Internazionale Milano v Urawa Red Diamonds at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Photo by Steph Chambers – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Man City should pull out of race to sign Barcelona target Denzel Dumfries
With Dumfries available for £21.5 million as his release clause is active until mid-July, it is natural that clubs are keen on the prospect of signing one of the best right-backs in Europe for a potential bargain.
However, Manchester City should let Barcelona sign the Dutchman as simply put, there are too many risks involved for him to become a potential success story.
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The former PSV Eindhoven defender’s technical ability makes him a misfit in City’s system as his ability to play in tight spaces and retain the ball are not his strengths — two facets that are fundamental to how Guardiola’s side operate.
While Dumfries is top-class at running in behind defences, he is not a particularly great creator, an area where Manchester City are in desperate need of improvement — providing a mere 26 assists in 179 games for Inter Milan.
DENZEL DUMFRIES STATS AT INTER MILAN
APPEARANCES 179
GOALS 22
ASSISTS 26
Furthermore, the Dutchman’s carrying of the ball, which is one of his standout traits really only stands out when Inter or the Netherlands are on the counter-attack while City tend to rarely hit teams on the break as they tend to dominate possession.
Dumfries turns 30 next year and Manchester City have already been punished by their recent habit of signing players at the tail end of their careers, namely Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic.
With Manchester City interested in signing Tino Livramento, who is only 22 and still has plenty of room to grow as a player, he would be much more of a sensible addition to their squad.
Newcastle United’s asking price for Tino Livramento
However, signing the Englishman will be easier said than done for Pep Guardiola and Co.
Manchester City FC manager Pep Guardiola
Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Newcastle’s asking price for Livramento is £80 million, which would be a sizable fee to pay to say the least for a player who cannot be considered world-class.
But in principle, Manchester City should avoid signing players like Dumfries who are unlikely to play a key part in their rise for at least half a decade, as he may have already hit his peak.
However, since Hugo Viana’s addition, what is clear as day as that once City intend to sign a player, they wrap up a move in quick-time.