REUTERS/Rodrigo Valle
Manchester City are looking to improve their defence, despite largely looking solid at the back during the opening stages of the Premier League season.
With Arsenal succumbing to a shock 3-0 defeat at Brighton on Saturday, Man City are setting the pace at the top of the table, having won their opening four matches, scoring eight goals and conceding just two in the process.
Enzo Maresca's side deserve particular credit for keeping a clean sheet with ten men in the 1-0 victory against Manchester United last time out, when they became only the second team in history to win at Old Trafford in the Premier League after having a man sent off.
Man City's Premier League fixtures Result
AFC Bournemouth (h) 2-1 W
Crystal Palace (a) 1-4 W
Coventry City (h) 1-0 W
Man Utd (a) 0-1 W
Liverpool, on the other hand, haven't looked quite as solid, having shipped two goals against both Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, and a record of one win and three defeats leaves them tenth in the Premier League table.
Right-back has been a problem position since Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure, with Jeremie Frimpong receiving criticism for his performances this season, and the Reds are now battling City in the race for a potential replacement.
Man City and Liverpool battling to sign Jon Aramburu
jon-aramburu-venezuela
Jon Aramburu argues with Vinicius Junior.
According to a report from TEAMtalk, Manchester City and Liverpool have carried out checks on Real Sociedad defender Jon Aramburu, having watched him in action this year.
City looked at signing a right-back in the summer, identifying Chelsea’s Malo Gusto and Tottenham Hotspur’s Timo Livramento as targets, before ultimately opting to stick with Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes, while Abdukodir Khusanov has also been utilised at right-back this season.
However, Hugo Viano & co seemingly remain keen on bringing in a fresh option, with Aramburu emerging as a target, although a deal could be on the expensive side, as he remains under contract with Real Sociedad until 2030, and there is a £50m release clause in his contract.
The 24-year-old is experienced in La Liga, making 87 appearances in the competition, while he is experienced at international level too, collecting 22 caps for Venezuela, and journalist Nathan Boyes lauded his performance in a 1-1 draw against Brazil in November 2024.
This season, the Venezuelan has been one of Real Sociedad's stand-out players, averaging 3.4 tackles per 90 in La Liga, which is the highest number in the squad, and an average of 1.5 interceptions per 90 also ranks him in first place.
Maresca is already well-stocked at right-back, with the likes of Nunes, Lewis and Khusanov able to play in that area, but should he decide another option is necessary, Aramburu could be a solid addition.