Manchester City join Liverpool and Barcelona in race for Serie A left-back

Premier League champions Manchester City have reportedly joined some of Europe’s biggest clubs in pursuit of a new breakthrough talent in Serie A.

The latest information concerning Manchester City comes at a time when Etihad chiefs are being strongly credited with an interest and pursuit in Boca Juniors’ breakthrough left-back talent Valentin Barco.

The Argentina youth international, who is highly-rated by City legend Sergio Aguero in particular, is expected to make a move to the Premier League sooner rather than later, and pending an agreement with Boca Juniors, could find himself working under Pep Guardiola.

Nevertheless, the interest in the aforementioned Argentine starlet has not halted Manchester City’s interest in other left-back targets, with a new report detailing their focus on a new name from Italy.

According to the information of Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness, last season’s Treble winners Manchester City are showing an interest in U.S. Lecce left-back Patrick Dorgu.

Etihad Stadium officials face competition from fellow Premier League giants Liverpool, while the report also states that the reigning La Liga title holders FC Barcelona also hold an interest in the player.

While City have reportedly ‘observed’ the 18-year-old on international duty, Gazzetta dello Sport detail that the teenager is locked down to a deal until 2027 and his agent is not pushing for a move, believing his client should continue to develop and mature with his current club.

However, as is usually the case with the world’s brightest breakthrough talents, it is highlighted that if Patrick Dorgu was to continue at his current rate, then there is a belief that ‘concrete offers’ will be piling up.

Should Manchester City formalise their interest in Patrick Dorgu in the coming months, then there is every possibility that they may look to develop him elsewhere within the City Football Group portfolio.

The City Group, also known as CFG, own and invest in a number of football clubs across the globe, and as such have the ability to scout out the next biggest talents from all corners of the planet ahead of possible competitors.

Girona – owned by City Football Group and plying their trade in La Liga – find themselves battling with Real Madrid and Barcelona for top spots in the Spanish first division at present, and may even compete for a place in the Champions League come the end of the campaign.