3 players Manchester City should sign this summer

Manchester City may look to splash the cash this summer
Manchester City may look to splash the cash this summer

Despite winning an unprecedented domestic treble, Manchester City may look to splash the cash this summer.

Another disappointing Champions League exit, combined with an aging squad may be enough to convince the City hierarchy to part with even more money.

While there is certainly no crisis at Manchester City, having seen the rise of Liverpool this season, it may be smart to strengthen while ahead, rather than play catch-up later. While City, of course, retained the Premier League, they did see their lead drop from 19 points from the previous season to just 1 this season.

Vincent Kompany has left the club after 10 years and David Silva is 33 and will reportedly leave when his contract runs out next summer, with the idea of finishing his career at his home town club, Las Palmas.

Their other star midfielder, Kevin de Bruyne, has recurring injury problems and City have long sought a replacement/cover for Fernandinho, who remains the club's only specialist defensive midfielder.

İlkay Gündoğan is also in the last year of his contract and has been regularly linked with moves away from the Etihad.

Benjamin Mendy remains City's only natural choice at left-back, with the likes of Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko filling in when needed.

However, with Mendy suffering two major injuries in consecutive seasons, it might be time to start looking at a more long term option.

The future of City's attack is also not secure; with Leroy Sane set for a move away after contract negotiations stalled and Sergio Agüero now 31 and plagued by injuries, a shake-up in attack may be on the cards.

Here are three players City should target this summer:

#1 Harry Maguire

Manchester City v Leicester City - Premier League
Manchester City v Leicester City - Premier League

With Kompany leaving Manchester City to become player-manager at Anderlecht, they find themselves in need of defensive reinforcements. Harry Maguire has shown himself to not only be solid at the back but also a calm presence on the ball and assured passer.

Stats wise, Maguire isn't quite as good a passer as Kompany, with his pass completion rate of 86.1% not as high as Kompany's absurdly high 93.2%.

However, this is likely more to do with the two sides' difference in styles, rather than lack of his ability. Pretty much all of the Manchester City players have high pass success, due to Guardiola's possession-based style.

Maguire clearly doesn't lack ability in this department, as shown by his superior numbers in regards to more difficult long-range passes. Maguire completes 5.7 long-range passes per game to Kompany's 4.1.

The towering center-back has been linked with moves to both Manchester clubs and would reportedly cost around £80m.

#2 Rodri

FC Barcelona v Club Atletico de Madrid - La Liga
FC Barcelona v Club Atletico de Madrid - La Liga

With Fernandinho now 34 and suffering several niggling injuries last season, Manchester City clearly need depth and a long-term replacement for him.

The Atlético Madrid man is the perfect blend of cultured and defensive stability. Rodri's pass completion rate of 91.1% is perfect for a player at the heart of a Guardiola midfield and even surpasses Fernandinho's 87.9%.

Rodri will also be used to the defensive side of things, having played for Diego Simeone's defensive-minded Atlético side.

Rodri excels in that role, making 2.6 tackles per game to Fernandinho's 1.7. He could be utilized at the base of City's midfield, as the deepest of the three midfielders. The Spaniard's responsibilities would be to shield the defence and act as an outlet to pass out from the back, linking the defence to midfield.

Rodri has reportedly asked to leave Atlético Madrid and would cost around £62m.

#3 João Félix

Benfica v Eintracht Frankfurt - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final: First Leg
Benfica v Eintracht Frankfurt - UEFA Europa League Quarter Final: First Leg

João Félix has burst onto the scene this season as one of the world's best young players, even drawing comparisons to fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo. At just 19, Félix helped Benfica win the Portuguese League and reach the Europa League quarterfinals.

The highlight of Félix's season was a hat-trick in the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt.

The youngster has tended to operate as either a striker or a second striker in Benfica's current set-up, scoring 19 goals and assisting a further 8 in his breakout season.

Félix has already made his international debut despite his tender age after being called up to Portugal's squad for the UEFA Nations League, which they eventually won on home soil. An ideal long term replacement for Sergio Agüero as the central striker in City's front three, Félix could be eased into the side as the season progresses.

City would be likely to face a lot of competition in trying to secure Félix's signature, with the Portuguese prodigy attracting interest from most of Europe's top clubs. Félix reportedly has a £105m release clause that City are willing to trigger.

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Edited by Arvind Sriram
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