Manchester City: Weigl, Isco, Thiago, Mbappé on the transfer list as Guardiola looks to add finishing touches

(Photo credit: LauraHale)

Manchester City have proved two things about themselves in the last few weeks: that they are an exceptional team but that they are not a perfect one. Pep Guardiola will look to address the second of these facts in the upcoming transfer window. 

Unlike last summer, a radical overhaul of the squad is not required. Then, Manchester City were a little light in attack and badly lacking in the full back areas, hence the big-money moves for players like Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy, and Kyle Walker.

Now, City are champions and potentially record-breaking ones. Guardiola will look to add strength in depth and continue to build the next generation of City stars. While they have been excellent, David Silva and Fernandinho are in their 30s and will probably have their game time managed in the coming seasons.

Vital replacement

Competition for Fernandinho is crucial. Borussia Dortmund's Julian Weigl has seen his name thrown into the social media rumoursphere and he would seem to tick all the boxes for City's requirements. 

He is 22, already has captaincy experience from his time at 1860 Munich, and has proven himself incredibly adept at linking defence and attack for both Dortmund and Germany.

He has the talent to ease the burden on Fernandinho and eventually relieve him of it and shouldn't struggle to settle in with former midfield partner İlkay Gündoğan and international teammate Leroy Sané in place to welcome him at the Etihad Campus. 

Playmaker needed

While it may seem strange to suggest that City are in need of another playmaker, Guardiola is also apparently keen to add to his plentiful options in that area of the pitch.

If the Spaniard decides to bring in one of his compatriots, City fans should be licking their lips with Real Madrid's Isco and Bayern Munich's Thiago both linked with moves.

The former is, simply put, one of the most attractive players to watch on the ball in world football. He has also complained that he does not feel he has the confidence of manager Zinedine Zidane, a problem he would be unlikely to encounter in Manchester - it is difficult to imagine a more prototypical Guardiola footballer.

The main challenger for that title would probably be Thiago, a player that Guardiola was delighted to take with him from Barcelona to Bayern back in 2013. 

Neither player would be cheap, but that isn't likely to be an issue in City's quest for footballing perfection.

Gamechanger

A more outlandish deal would be one for PSG's Kylian Mbappé. Even for a club of City's recently developed stature, he would be a coup; one of the most exciting young talents in the game, any move for the Frenchman would surely rely on his club being sanctioned over Financial Fair Play.

UEFA are in the course of a series of meetings with the club about their transfer dealings, and while PSG are confident of a positive outcome, if they are sanctioned then one of their star attackers may have to be sold. 

City would be an attractive prospect for Mbappé but he would have his pick of suitors with the European giants likely to circle. 

He scored at home and away in Monaco's thrilling Champions League victory over City last season and Guardiola would have liked what he saw, while the chance to rekindle his relationship with Bernardo Silva could prove attractive.

City will spend in order to stave off the challenges of Liverpool and Manchester United and propel themselves further in Europe next season. If we thought they were good this season, we might have seen nothing yet.

Which of these players is most necessary for Manchester City to sign in the summer? Let us know by commenting below.

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