Porto's Mateus Fernandes and Alex Freeman of Villarreal
Porto's Mateus Fernandes and Alex Freeman of Villarreal
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Manchester City have already spent big this summer. The arrival of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest for £116million smashed the club's transfer record and saw their top target secured early in the window.
The Blues will seek to strengthen further while a number of players have uncertain futures at the club with pre-season training now less than a fortnight away.
City are expected to confirm the arrival of Leicester City teenage sensation Jeremy Monga in the coming days and Enzo Maresca's side are also looking to add a right back, a winger and potentially another central midfielder.
The latter two could well be impacted by any Etihad exits with Nico Gonzalez, Rodri, Rico Lewis and Savinho all potential departures.
At right back, City know what they want. Matheus Nunes enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last term and will start the season as first choice in that position. The Blues want to add another option to the Portugal international, but are currently looking to sign a promising talent who can grow and develop into a first-team star.
The Blues were admirers of Marco Palestra but the Atalanta defender has joined Chelsea for £47million, while Stamford Bridge right back Malo Gusto is a player City and Maresca like but the £75million valuation means a deal is a non-starter at that price.
So where next? We've scoured Europe and taken a look at the best up-and-coming prospects who might fit the bill.
Givairo Read, Feyenoord
City are tracking the Dutchman but they are not the only club monitoring the 20-year-old. Bayern Munich are understood to be keen and plenty of other teams will be monitoring a player who has impressed with Feyenoord. He gets forward well, is comfortable on the ball and doesn't shirk his defensive duties. A cluster of clubs will be vying for his signature with a reported price tag of £25million.
Givairo Read of Feyenoord
Givairo Read of Feyenoord
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Martim Fernandes, Porto
The 20-year-old is first choice at Porto and has already made more than 60 senior appearances including in the Europa League and the Club World Cup. He is arguably the most attack-minded full-back on this list and would offer a real attacking threat down the flank as well as being comfortable coming into midfield, a tactic City so often used under Pep Guardiola. Under a long-term contract in Portugal but looks destined for the top.
Alex Freeman, Villarreal
The USA international has enjoyed a fine tournament on home soil, impressing at right back for Mauricio Pochettino's men. He gets forward well, is good on the ball and has pace to burn. Having broken through in Major League Soccer, he joined La Liga side Villarreal in January and is under a long-term contract in Spain. He would be expensive but the 21-year-old has shown himself on the global stage this summer.
Pedro Lima, Wolves
Now bear with us here. We know this is a player who has just been relegated to the Championship with Wolves. But at 20, he showed flashes of the ability that made him one of the hottest talents around when he moved to Molineux two years ago. Wolves recalled him from a loan spell in Portugal and he featured regularly in the second half of the season, making 10 appearances in all competitions. The Premier League exposure is a welcome benefit for a player who is comfortable on the ball and has represented Brazil at age-group level.
Pedro Lima of Wolves
Pedro Lima of Wolves
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Elias Baum, Eintracht Frankfurt
Something of a wildcard given he made only five appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga last season and all came from the bench. He's been capped by Germany at Under-21 level and is highly rated in his homeland. Would be a bold selection simply because he is a raw talent who has yet to be exposed to too much senior football but his underlying skillset highlights his potential.