Manchester City attempting to buy potential

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is reported to be looking to add younger players to his squad

Big things are expected of Manchester City in the Premier League next season, after the appointment of Spanish boss Pep Guardiola.

The Citizens have not been as busy in the transfer market as expected so far this summer.

However, according to media reports the Citizens are set to add to the signings of German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan and Spanish winger Nolito in the near future.

City targeting youth

According to Sky Sports, City is in negotiations to sign German winger Leroy Sane from Schalke, Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras and Colombian youngster Marlos Moreno from Atletico Nacional. All three players are young, exciting and highly-rated.

Sane at just 20 is regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in European football. He has been linked with big money moves to various big clubs in the past. The Germany international has told Schalke that he wants to leave the club.

Schalke are reported to be demanding a fee of around £40million, but negotiations are believed to be taking place between the two clubs to reach a compromise.

Gabriel Jesus is one of the latest players to come off the South American production line of talent. At 19-years-old he has attracted major interest from Europe. The versatile youngster can play on either flank or as a central striker.

Jesus has hit a spot of form in recent months, scoring 15 goals in his last 19 appearances in all competitions for Palmeiras. Manchester United are also reportedly showing an interest in the forward, who could cost City more than £20million.

Moreno again is a versatile youngster that can play on either wing and as a central striker. A fee of around £8million has been mooted for the lesser known of the three youngsters. Any potential deal for Moreno could be hampered by work permit issues, though.

City squad in need of fresh impetus

It was almost as if the City squad went stale in front of everybody’s eyes last season. The ageing legs of the Citizens squad finally caught up with them. A number of City’s squad are now in their thirties and it showed in some of the team’s performances last season.

Key players in the past such as David Silva, Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany failed to perform to the high standards set in the past. In fact, Toure’s future with City has been in doubt for a good while.

Kompany has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons and Silva was highly inconsistent last season. The squad needed a fresh impetus and injection of youth this summer. Last summer’s big money signing of Raheem Sterling produced mixed results.

However, the big money signing of Belgian playmaker Kevin De Bruyne now looks like a good one. City needs fresh, young and exciting players to join the club this summer.

It seems Guardiola has identified the need for younger players in his squad and specifically targeted the above players. It looks highly unlikely that the Catalan boss will sign all three youngsters, though, despite the speculation.

City the favourites for the title

Despite finishing fourth in the Premier League last season, City are the favourites to win the title at odds of 5/2 in the new campaign.

The sheer presence of Guardiola at the club has ensured there is already a different aura surrounding the club and the team. Much like Jose Mourinho’s arrival at United, it has given the club a massive lift.

Both clubs will fancy their chances of winning the title with their new bosses in charge. There will be a massive shift in the style of play under Guardiola. The Citizens are unlikely to be finished in the transfer market just yet either.

The club may be changing their policy in the transfer market this summer. City has tried to buy success in the past, with mixed results. Guardiola is obviously looking to the future with the players he is targeting.

Guardiola is regarded as a top boss and if believes that these young players are what City needs to achieve success in the future, then it is hard to argue with the former-Barcelona boss.

Will Manchester City strengthen their squad further this summer?