Manchester City face Arsenal and Real Madrid battle in race to sign Bayern Munich defender

Premier League champions Manchester City will face an uphill battle to sign Alphonso Davies ahead of other potential suitors, should they wish to solidify their admiration.

Pep Guardiola has long been satisfied with his full-back options at the Etihad Stadium, but has operated without a natural left-sided full-back for a number of years at Manchester City, utilising versatile players away from their traditional roles.

Most recently, the Premier League giants have rotated between Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake at left-back, with the Croatian often being favoured in the role with the Dutchman showcasing a fine ability to star at the left-side of central defence.

Previous names to adopt the left-back role at the Etihad Stadium include Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabian Delph, and even Bernardo Silva at one particular juncture during his time with Manchester City thus far.

But the latest transfer rumours have linked the four-in-a-row English top-flight champions with an interest in one of Europe’s best operators in the left-back role, despite stern competition from across the continent.

According to the information of HITC’s Graeme Bailey, both Manchester City and Arsenal are huge admirers of Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and are contemplating making him an offer.

However, despite their own interest, the report claims that they are of the belief that the Canadian international will move to La Liga giants Real Madrid. Nevertheless, Premier League sides want to give the Bayern Munich defender ‘something to think about’.

From the side of Real Madrid, it is detailed that the Spanish club are moving fast to secure their top defensive target on a free transfer, ready to tie down Davies to a pre-contract early in the New Year.

For now, it remains unlikely that Manchester City will be able to defeat Los Blancos to the signing of the Canadian star, but will no doubt remain content with their options in the event of Real Madrid signing Alphonso Davies.

One position in defence that could be more of a focus for Etihad Stadium recruitment chiefs is right-back, with Rico Lewis starring in the position whilst Kyle Walker certainly does not get any younger and enters into the final years of his top-level playing career.

Walker has made no secret of his desire to round-off a stellar career by re-joining his boyhood club Sheffield United during his final years. That comes despite interest from Bayern Munich and the Saudi Pro League in recent transfer markets.