Manchester City are reportedly ready to battle it out with Real Madrid for the signature of Lazio defensive sensation Mario Gila.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport via Sport Witness, Manchester City could rival Real Madrid in their pursuit of Spanish defender Mario Gila. The Premier League champions have a serious interest in the Lazio star, and they have been scouting him consistently of late.
Gila joined Real Madrid’s youth setup back in the summer of 2018. While he made it to their B team in no time and even made two first-team appearances, he left the club in the summer of 2022 in search of regular first-team action.
While the debut season at Lazio did not go according to plan as he spent the majority of the time on the bench, Mario Gila slowly broke into their first team and has been a regular over the last 18 months. The Spaniard has a total of 75 senior appearances, and he has even bagged two goals.
The 24-year-old centre-back’s consistent performances have put him on the radar of quite a few top clubs. While his contract at Lazio runs until the summer of 2027, there is a high possibility of the player being on the move this summer.
Manchester City want to sign Mario Gila
Manchester City are one of the clubs keen on signing the Spanish defender. Pep Guardiola’s team will undergo massive changes in the summer after a disappointing campaign. They will be looking to bring down the average age of their squad by signing young players for the long run.
Mario Gila certainly fits the bill, as he is only 24 and will only get better with time. With Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones struggling with injuries this season, Guardiola’s team has faced significant challenges, making a younger, more reliable alternative a valuable addition.
The Premier League outfit are serious about their pursuit, and they won’t have any problems meeting Lazio’s asking price of €50 million. Lately, they have been closely monitoring his performances and could make a move as soon as the window reopens.
Real Madrid could prove to be a hurdle for Manchester City
Manchester City’s Claudio Echeverri has been linked with a loan move to Lazio, and he could end up being a part of the Mario Gila deal. Meanwhile, Guardiola’s team won’t find it that straightforward as they might have to battle Real Madrid.
Los Blancos need defensive reinforcement as they lack depth at the back. Injuries to key defenders have caused quite a few problems for them over the last two seasons. They want to bring in a young centre-back and are considering re-signing the 24-year-old. Real Madrid will certainly have an advantage over City as they have an existing relationship with the player and his camp.