Manchester City reportedly saw Aleksandar Pavlović emerge as their number-one midfield target this summer, only to turn to Ayyoub Bouaddi after the Bayern Munich man opted to stay put.
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No area of the pitch saw more change than the midfield during Manchester City’s summer of upheaval, with Rodri, Tijjani Reijnders, Bernardo Silva and Nico González all departing to leave gaping holes in the middle of the park.
The club moved to fill them by smashing their transfer record for Elliot Anderson and, late in the window, completing a deal for highly-rated Lille teenager Ayyoub Bouaddi and a deadline-day £125 million swoop for Enzo Fernandez that broke the club record again.
Bouaddi’s arrival is a fantastic coup for a club in rebuild mode and a focus on bringing in youth. However, an intriguing fresh revelation from Germany has now suggested that the teenager was not, in fact, the first name on Manchester City’s list for the role.
Bayern Munich star reportedly targeted before Bouaddi
That is according to respected German football journalist Christian Falk, who has reported that Manchester City had identified Bayern Munich’s Aleksandar Pavlović as their number-one target for the position.
The claim states that first contact was made as far back as March, with City indicating they were prepared to pay in the region of €100 million (£85.8 million) - a figure that could have climbed even higher.
The 22-year-old, however, took his time over the decision, telling City he needed to think before ultimately choosing to remain in Bavaria. Falk notes that no formal offer was ever lodged with Bayern, though the German champions were well aware of interest.
With Pavlović having made his position clear, Manchester City moved on to the number-two name on their shortlist - Ayyoub Bouaddi - completing a deal for the Lille man instead. Had Pavlović said yes, Falk insists, he would be a City player this season.
Chelsea asked Manchester City to back away from their pursuit of Ayyoub Bouaddi while fatuously asking to swap Nico O’Reilly for Malo Gusto on top of £80 million, according to new reports.cityxtra.co.ukRevealed: Chelsea's Laughable Bouaddi and O'Reilly Pleas in Man City Transfer Talks
Chelsea asked Manchester City to back away from their pursuit of Ayyoub Bouaddi while fatuously asking to swap Nico O’Reilly for Malo Gusto on top of £80 million, according to new reports.
What does this say about Manchester City’s plans?
The whole saga is further proof of how important new midfield signings are to the club's rebuild and future prospects. Aleksandar Pavlović, a product of Bayern Munich’s academy, is a composed deep-lying midfielder and Germany international, precisely the kind of natural controller the Blues have been seeking to build around in the wake of Rodri’s exit.
In Ayyoub Bouaddi, they have landed a younger, slightly longer-term prospect at 18, one they clearly believe can grow into a mainstay for years to come rather than an immediate like-for-like solution.
Ultimately, missing out on Pavlović appears to have done little to derail planning. Enzo Maresca's side identified a clear alternative and moved decisively to secure him, and with Enzo Fernandez and Elliot Anderson joining Bouaddi this summer, it is still anyone's guess who will emerge as the new king of City's midfield.