Who should City target this summer?

Club are expected to invest heavily in the next transfer window

City were at their brilliant best in dismantling a formidable RB Leipzig in a 7-0 hammering in the Champions League round of 16 recently. Kevin De Bruyne was back to his brilliant best, Ilkay Gundogan expertly controlled the midfield and Erling Haaland became just the third player in history to net five goals in a single Champions League match. Better still the Blues are looking good in their bid to cut down Arsenal’s five point lead at the top of the Premier League table. Pep Guardiola’s side find themselves in a great position to round off this season in style, but that hasn’t stopped the boss looking ahead to next year. There has been plenty of speculation with some big names rumoured to be leaving the club this summer and if Pep’s side are to maintain their stronghold domestically and challenge in Europe they will need to strengthen when the window opens. Here’s a look at some of the players the Blues could be looking to target this summer.

Jude Bellingham

Bellingham has been a young talent on the rise for some time now and he showed his class as the future of the English midfield at the World Cup. He has had a number of outstanding performances for club and country this season that has shown he has what it takes to slot right into any elite side he wants to. He played a starring role in England’s World Cup efforts as a midfield creator and has done the same for Borussia Dortmund with ten goals and six assists to date. He is already drawing comparisons to some of England's all-time greats with his maturity and understanding for the game at such a young age. The 19-year-old finds himself at the centre of what Dortmund are trying to do in every phase, whether it’s tracking back, kick-starting a counterattack or making a late run into the box to fire home off a cross. A move home to one of the Premier League’s richest clubs from German side Borussia Dortmund seems likely. Already touted as the most sought-after midfielder of this summer's transfer window with Spanish giants Real Madrid and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool already heavily linked with the youngster, with City also hoping to stake their own claim and with Bellingham at 10/3 to be playing for Man City after this summer’s transfer window according to uk betting sites, they are well positioned to get his signature.

Josko Gvardiol

Already one of the most impressive defenders in Europe at the age of 20, Josko Gvardiol has been a name on the lips of transfer committees at a number of top clubs for some time. After his stellar performances for Croatia in Qatar, however, that transfer process may now be accelerated. Gvardiol underlined his status as one of the best young centre backs on the world stage. He would walk into the starting line-ups of pretty much any club in the Champions League and RB Leipzig's model is such that they will be comfortable selling the player should an appropriate offer be tabled. City, United, Spurs, Munich and Chelsea who tabled a £77 million bid last summer for the man are all reportedly interested, meaning it could be a serious battle for the player's signature. There was no bidding war in January as was anticipated but it is unlikely the same will happen come this summer. Gvardiol is almost certain to leave the Red Bull Arena this summer, and with Guardiola desperate to find a replacement for Aymeric Laporte, the Croat will be one of his top priorities.

Harry Kane

Two years ago City threw everything at trying to sign the Spurs star only to fall short of the mark. Pep was set on finding a suitable replacement for the departing Sergio Aguero and had hoped he could wrestle the England striker away from Daniel Levy’s grasp, tableing a bid understood to be worth as much as £150 million. It never came to pass and with the benefit of hindsight it has turned out for the best. Erling Haaland since his arrival at the Etihad has put the footballing world on notice; he is without a doubt the most dangerous footballer walking the planet today. He has broken multiple records this season netting 39 goals in all competitions and showing no signs of stopping. With the Norwegian in imperious form it seems ridiculous to speculate on the potential arrival of another frontman, but here we are. Despite the astounding numbers Haaland is racking up, there remains some debate as to whether he truly fits into Pep’s style of play; a question that wouldn’t be asked of Kane. The England striker fits the mould perfectly and with the Spurs man entering the final year of his contract at the end of this season, keen to get a major trophy under his belt before he hangs up his boots, perhaps this summer is the perfect time to make a move and ensure City have the best strikeforce in European football.

James Maddison

After Joao Cancelo’s departure to Bayern Munich earlier this year there is a slot left open in City’s midfield, and with Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan potentially away this summer it is essential that Pep fills this spot before the start of next season. With their pick of the litter, Pep has his eyes on Leicester’s star man James Maddison. The Englishman has been in fine form this season despite his Leicester side struggling in the League. The midfielder has nine goals and five assists from what limited game time he’s managed to get after a knee injury sidelined him for months. The 26-year-old has been performing on a level above that of his teammates this year and with him entering his final 12 months at the King Power Stadium and seemingly no intention of extending his contract, it seems the time is right to pounce on the opportunity. Even if the Foxes manage to avoid the drop this season, Newcastle and City (the two frontrunners to wrestle him away from Leicester) are both sides that can offer more money than his current £100,000 per week wages along with better prospects of silverware in the near future. Should Gundogan and Silva move on this summer, Maddison will serve as the perfect replacement to slot in behind Haaland in City’s attack.