Manchester City could still sign a left-back this summer.
The Sky Blues, who begin their Premier League title defence away to West Ham United this Sunday, failed to secure the signature of Marc Cucurella from Brighton.
The Seagulls are seemingly set to agree a deal with Chelsea for the 24 year-old defender, who they signed from Getaffe for £15 million less than one year ago.
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Chelsea are widely reported to be paying over £50 million for the left-back, a fee Manchester City were not willing to pay.
Guardiola faces the prospect of entering the new campaign with just two senior full-backs, though the Sky Blues are now being linked with a fellow La Masia graduate.
Sergio Gomez of RSC Anderlecht has emerged as a surprise target for the Premier League Champions.
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The 21 year-old, who was directly involved in 23 goals during his debut season in the Belgian Pro League, featured on 49 appearances for Vincent Kompany’s side.
City are claimed to be ‘serious’ about signing the left-back, with negotiations ongoing between the two parties.
Sport Witness relay claims from HLN, who report that the Sky Blues have made an ‘insufficient’ yet ‘formal offer’ for the 21 year-old.
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It is further reported that Anderlecht will not prevent the defender from departing this summer, but are aiming to secure at least €15 million for the full-back.
Gomez has apparently become ‘charmed’ by the Etihad project, with it growing ‘more and more’ likely that the Spaniard will swap Brussels for North West England.
Suggestions in England were that that the 21 year-old would likely be loaned out for the 2022/23 season, though HLN claim that Gomez could have the chance to be part of the Blues’ first-team.
Gomez in contracted to Anderlecht until 2025.
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Former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany’s three years at the helm of the Brussels based club seemingly inspired a relationship between the two sides.
Players, including defender Taylor Hawood-Bellis and midfielder Tommy Doyle enjoyed loan spells in the Belgian capital.
Football Director Txiki Begiristain was pictured at the Belgian Cup Final in April, as Anderlecht suffered defeat on penalties.
Sergio Gomez featured in that fixture.
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Kompany returned to England this summer, with the Belgian becoming head coach at Burnley, following Sean Dyche’s sacking from Turf Moor towards the end of last season.
Anderlecht will not allow their star full-back to leave on the cheap this summer, according to the HLN report relayed by Sport Witness.
Topics: Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Premier League, Anderlecht
Harry Winters