Will Manchester City be able to bounce back after a poor season by their such high standards?

The 2019/20 season ended as nothing short of a disappointment for Manchester City. Finishing 18 points behind league winners Liverpool and a Champions League Quarter Final exit at the hands of French outfit Lyon.

In addition to this are the departures of Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich and club legend David Silva- who returns to his home country of Spain to finish his career. If the club is to challenge once again for the Premier League and at least reach the final of the Champions League then signings are a must for Pep Guardiola and Man City.

An early statement of intent by Man City?

The club has noticed its failure to deliver and they have acted early. Having signed 20-year-old creative midfielder Ferran Torres from Valencia, the idea is that he will fill the shoes of David Silva.

The young talent has already played over 100 league games for the Mestalla club and is best known for his dribbling ability and being able to play in the centre of midfield but also as a winger. Such versatility that will be beneficial to Pep Guardiola in what will be a long and gruelling season.

? Dani Parejo :”Ferran Torres is a magnificent footballer. I have tried to help him as much as possible, he said goodbye to the squad, now I can only congratulate him on this step and wish him all the luck in the world, he deserves it".
©️?????? pic.twitter.com/nzFQ8IVel5

— Valenciacf in English ?? (@ValenciacfAR_En) August 14, 2020

Following that is the signing of Dutch Centre-Back Nathan Ake from recently relegated Bournemouth. Man City aim to improve on their current defensive frailties that left them so weak throughout the season. An experienced Premier League defender having come through the ranks at Chelsea.

Extremely comfortable on the ball, Ake will suit Guardiola’s style of play perfectly, being able to play the ball forward. The Dutchman is also credited for his tackling and positioning ability. Something that the club has missed since last year’s departure of former club captain Vincent Kompany… Overall he is a player that will make an instant impact on the Citizens defense and certainly be a leader from the back. 

Potential Man City signings this summer…

Kalidou Koulibaly

The signing of Nathan Ake may soon be supported with a future defensive partner in the shape of Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly. The Senegalese international has impressed many big clubs around Europe, and sufficient speculation surrounds his arrival to the blue half of Manchester. Napoli have suggested that any offer of around £60 million would be acceptable. A small price to pay  for a player that has been considered as one of the best in his position in the world. 

The signature of Koulibaly would help Man City majorly given their defensive woes that have led to Fernandinho being a regular in the position, despite being a midfielder at heart. In addition, Nicolas Otamendi has faced his fair share of criticism with much being reported that John Stones and Eric Garcia may both be on their way out this summer. 

Reports suggest that the deal could be completed in a matter of days as Guardiola looks to improve the depth in the position. Besides Laporte and now Ake, many City fans will struggle to find confidence looking at the depth within the position. His defensive intelligence has led former Ranger manager to suggest he could be the second coming of Liverpool’s Virgil Van Dijk: 

“The name I keep going back to is the lad Koulibaly at Napoli, who has impressed for a long, long time now. I don’t know whether there have been moves to try and get him out of Napoli, or whether he’s happy there, the big Senegalese defender. But I think he is the one target a lot of top Premier League clubs would and should be looking at.”

If the deal is to be completed, then it will certainly be an excited one for Man City fans. A player who will compliment either Ake and Laporte very well at the back. 

Lautaro Martinez

Known as ‘El Toro’- Martinez has been dubbed as the replacement for Sergio Aguero. The Argentine has been incredible this season up top for Inter Milan and would offer quality and depth to the weakened Man City attack. This being with Aguero’s injuries and the fact he may only have a season or two left at the Etihad. Also, Gabriel Jesus has been seriously injury prone in his time at the club, a signing of Martinez’s quality would be perfect if the Citizens are going to compete with Liverpool next season.

Man City urged to beat Barcelona to Lautaro Martinez transfer because of Sergio Aguerohttps://t.co/D4ZktjyQ9P #MCFC

— Daily Star Sport (@DailyStar_Sport) August 18, 2020

The Argentine ended the season scoring 21 goals in 48 game, having ended the season second in Serie A and Runners-Up in the Europa League. Martinez has an eye for goal and has an all-round ability; being able to score with either foot and from headers. On the pitch, he is a warrior. Fighting for any opportunity, Martinez won’t shy away from a hard tackle having the determination and hunger that City need up top. 

The club face serious competition for El Toro’s signature given the ongoing negotiations between the player and Barcelona. However, reports suggest that the two clubs cannot agree on a fee, opening a door for Manchester City to steal the wanted striker. 

Martinez does only have a season left on his current Inter contract, which may tempt the club to wait for next summer to sign him on a free contract. However, given Inter Milan’s Europa League final defeat to Sevilla, ‘El Toro’ may be interested in moving to a team with a greater chance of European success for the long-term. 

You can see why Barcelona have been liked with Lautaro Martínez, but does Robbie Keane think he'd be tempted by a move to Spain?

Report ➡️ https://t.co/pabbyldEiA#beINUEL #UEL #InterShakhtar pic.twitter.com/9DMXVT3lNl

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) August 17, 2020

Lionel Messi

A fairly unlikely target but recent interest for the 6-time Ballon D’or winner has risen significantly given Barcelona’s Champions League 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich. The Argentine has criticised the club for their lack of planning and success within the Champions League, having not won the competition in 5 years. It is believed that with a year left on his contract, that he would be interested in a move away to a team with a clear ambition of winning the Champions League. 

Fans all around the world will remember how dominant Messi was with current City manager Pep Guardiola at Barcelona. And many believe that they could be reunited in Manchester as he comes towards the end of his career. The 33-year-old continues to dazzle and dominate in La Liga and the Champions League for Barcelona. Having broken Xavi’s record of league assists in a season, the Argentine has proven himself as much more than just a goalscorer but has the ability to provide as well. 

Josep Bartomeu – Barcelona’s club president recently declared Messi as an ‘untouchable’ alongside a few other players. However, if the player declares his interest in leaving the club, then we could well see Lionel Messi in the Premier League. Given that very few teams could meet his ambitions on a continental level but also financial level too. Man City would become one of very few teams in that bracket. 

A bargaining tool the club could use to sign Messi is his close relationship with City’s all-time top goalscorer Sergio Aguero. Playing together since they were kids, their relationship has stayed strong. Spending most summers together, both would surely love the chance to play together beyond the national team. This would truly be some signing, surely he wouldn’t leave Barcelona after playing there his entire career at the club… Surely?!

Man City reportedly believe they are in pole position to sign Lionel Messi if he leaves Barcelona.

The latest gossip: https://t.co/gOFzm0zrgC#bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/rrfE0TdtyV

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 15, 2020

Other deals to look out for…

Jack Grealish– He was influential in Aston Villa’s fight to avoid relegation this season from the Premier League, being the team’s leader both on and off the pitch. Many reports suggest he could be making the big jump next season, is a move to the Etihad Stadium the right decision for both him and for City?

Houssem Aouar– The young Lyon midfielder has been crucial in the teams run to the Champions League Semi-Final and would strengthen the options in the position. Alongside De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan, he would be a great addition to the already strong midfield.

Rayan Cherki– The young Frenchman broke the record as the youngest Champions League Semi-Finalist in history, for Lyon this week and certainly showed his quality. With his skills and confidence on the ball, he was an instant problem for Bayern Munich. Still being 17, this could be a move that we don’t see for a few years but Cherki has already started to show what he is made of in the highest level and has caught the eye of many big clubs all around Europe- including Man City.

Houssem Aouar: “It is flattering to have your name linked to a club like that [#ManCity]…”

[via @footballdaily]pic.twitter.com/1QKnaTrQUW

— Man City Xtra (@City_Xtra) August 20, 2020

Let us know what you think! Will Man City have made the necessary signings to challenge Liverpool for the Premier League? And can they go beyond the Quarter and Semi Finals of the Champions League to achieve European success?

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• Transfer Rumours for the ‘Big 6’ Premier League clubs

• One Player Each Team from the ‘Big 6’ Should Sign