Pep Guardiola and Manchester City identify €60 million Inter star as transfer target

Manchester City are eyeing a potential new recruit in their already-strong defensive unit, according to new reports emerging from Italy this week.

The latest information concerning the Premier League champions’ interest in a defensive recruit follows on from a summer transfer window that saw Etihad officials secure the signing of in-demand Croatia international Josko Gvardiol.

The former RB Leipzig defender has proven to be an excellent piece of business for Manchester City so far this season, with exemplary performances across all competitions, and all while largely operating in a left-back role.

Despite the success of Gvardiol, as well as Nathan Ake’s ability to play in the left-back position too when called upon, a new report has claimed of interest from Manchester City in one of Europe’s stand-out left-sided full-backs.

That is according to the information of InterLive.it, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness this week, who suggest that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has identified Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco as a transfer target for the Etihad club.

It is claimed that the Catalan coach’s ‘footballing esteem’ towards the Italy international left-back has been known for months, and Manchester City ‘can tempt’ the Serie A giants with a €60 million offer.

In a particularly interesting detail, it is further highlighted that Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta has recently admitted the need to make at least one big sale after the end of every season, and the report believes that Federico Dimarco may be the one to help his side ‘raise cash’.

The attention on potentially recruiting a new full-back could come in a year when Manchester City officials also look to strengthen in various other areas of Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning side.

The upcoming January transfer window in particular is likely to bring about some change, with Kalvin Phillips having been strongly linked with an exit from the Etihad Stadium, either on a temporary or permanent basis.

The former Leeds United man and England international is desperately in search of improved game time ahead of the upcoming European Championships in Germany, and with Rodri holding down the defensive midfield role for the foreseeable, Phillips is likely to seek a move away to improve his chances of on-field action.