Manchester City are reportedly looking to bring in either David Alaba or Nicolas Tagliafico to strengthen their left-back options, but only if Oleksandr Zinchenko leaves the club first.
The Telegraph reports that Pep Guardiola is keen for Zinchenko, 23, to move on so that he can launch a bid for his new defensive targets. Indeed the move would come after City’s £65.2 million capture of Portuguese centre-half Ruben Dias.
Manchester City have now spent around £126million on players this transfer window having previously attained the services of Ferran Torres and Nathan Ake. Now Guardiola is facing a race against time to bring in his fourth signing ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline.
Zinchenko has been predominantly used as a back-up to Benjamin Mendy at left-back having turned down offers from numerous clubs, including Spanish outfit Real Betis, to try and fight for his place in the side. Now, however, The Telegraph says that in order for his club to bring in defensive reinforcements, he will have to make an Eithad Stadium exit three years and 68 games on since his arrival from PSV Eindhoven.
The 28-year-old Austrian worked under the City boss when he managed the German giants between 2013 and 2016. He won three of his nine Bundesliga titles during his tenure and also the 2013 Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. The news of Manchester City’s interest in the serial winner comes a month after Bayern Munich chief executive Oliver Khan stated he was “optimistic” that Alaba would sign a new deal with the European champions.
Previous reports claimed that rivals Manchester United and Chelsea are also in the market for the Austrian international after rejecting a new deal with Bayern.
