Manchester City identify six names as potential summer right-back signings – Brazilian leads Newcastle star

Interest from Manchester City in up to six right-back names ahead of the summer transfer window has been revealed in Brazilian media.

The Etihad Stadium’s first-team squad is due to undergo some significant work this summer following a difficult campaign across competitions that has seen the club vastly underperform due to a mixture of injury and fitness problems.

Manchester City’s recruitment department is set to be shaken up in the off-season with former Sporting CP director Hugo Viana coming into the City Football Academy to take over from long-standing director of football, Txiki Begiristain.

The Portuguese official is believed to have started work on the club’s recruitment plans during the January transfer window, with a number of youthful names coming into Pep Guardiola’s side and providing much-needed depth and rotation to an ageing roster.

Vitor Reis was among the names to be brought in as the young Brazilian defender arrived from Palmeiras with the belief from within Manchester City that he was ready for immediate first-team involvement, making his debut in the FA Cup fourth round against Leyton Orient.

And the latest line of reporting indicates that Manchester City are returning to the South American market with interest in one of the most highly-regarded full-back talents emerging in the game.

That is according to the information of Gianluca Di Marzio, who reveals that City are now ‘pushing’ for Flamengo right-back Wesley, despite competition for the 21-year-old’s signature from other clubs throughout the game.

When it comes to Manchester City’s targets in the position, the report claims that Etihad Stadium officials would prefer the Brazilian to Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento, while also aiming to close an agreement before the summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.

A previous report from Coluna Do Fla confirmed Manchester City’s interest in the Flamengo defender, but insisted that the former Premier League champions had not sent any official proposal to the Brazilian club for the player.

It is further claimed that there are five other players shortlisted by City for the right-back role, with Wesley sitting fourth in amongst those names as things stand, with attempts to sign either of the leading three names due to come before the youngster.

There is expected to be change within the Manchester City squad at right-back this summer in the way of departures, as Kyle Walker is due to leave on a permanent exit having agreed a six-month loan with AC Milan in the January window.

The England international is believed to be enjoying his change of lifestyle in Italy and is not thought to be in Manchester City’s plans for the next season, particularly as the club look to welcome in a wave of younger names in the squad.

Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes have largely been operating as City’s right-back options since the turn of the year, while the former is thought to be an option for attacking midfield for the future having impressed in the recent FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.