Manchester City would be tempted into cashing in on one of Riyad Mahrez or Ilkay Gundogan if the right offer came in for either this summer, according to a new report.
It is set to be a busy summer ahead at the Etihad Stadium as club officials look to strengthen Pep Guardiola's squad further in their bid for success all on fronts next season after retaining the Premier League title last term.
The six-time Premier League champions, who retained their crown on the last day of the season after a breathtaking 3-2 triumph over Aston Villa, have already secured the arrivals of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez to bolster the frontline.
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The past month has seen confidence grow in some quarters that Pep Guardiola is keen to replace departing skipper Fernandinho in the summer transfer window whilst hoping to add a natural left-back to his star-studded, versatile ranks as uncertainty looms over Oleksandr Zinchenko's future in Manchester.
In terms of departures, Gabriel Jesus looks set to leave amid heavy interest from the likes of Arsenal, Real Madrid and Tottenham whilst Raheem Sterling could decide against renewing his current deal and take up a new project when the England international soon holds talks over his future at Manchester City.
It also remains to be seen what the immediate future holds for Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez, both 31, as they enter the final 12 months on their respective contracts at the Etihad Stadium.
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As per a report by Simon Mullock of The Mirror, City will be tempted to cash in should suitor clubs present an attractive offer for either Gundogan or Mahrez in the upcoming transfer window.
Whilst there remains confidence Mahrez will commit his future to City after enjoying a standout campaign where he finished top of his side's scoring charts with 24 strikes across all competitions, Gundogan could choose to move on for a starting spot elsewhere and make what would presumably be the the final big switch of the German's career.
The gradual integration of academy starlet James McAtee into the first-team could further persuade Manchester City into sanctioning a sale for Gundogan, who was used as a squad player for a significant part of the previous campaign.
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Six years on from arriving to east Manchester as Pep Guardiola's first signing at City, Ilkay Gundogan's versatility and presence in the box have allowed him to operate across the midfield and down the middle as he scored 17 times across all competitions and finished the 2020/21 season as his side's top scorer.
After failing to get his desired move to City midway through the 2017/18 campaign, Riyad Mahrez completed a £60 million transfer to the Etihad Stadium and despite a slow start, the Algerian has been pivotal to Guardiola's setup in recent seasons with impressive attacking returns despite the serious competition for places in the squad.
It is worth noting regardless of the length of time remaining on their respective contracts, Manchester City are unlikely to keep hold of a player wanting to leave, as seen previously during the Guardiola era with the cases of Nolito, Leroy Sane and Angelino.
Topics: Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Manchester City, Fantasy Premier League, Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez
Vayam Lahoti