Manchester City are reportedly eyeing a high-profile move for Tottenham Hotspur’s Destiny Udogie, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano revealing that the Italian full-back is one of two top targets for Pep Guardiola this summer.
According to Teamtalk, Manchester City are looking to bolster their defence with new signings, particularly in the full-back positions. With Kyle Walker poised to join AC Milan, Guardiola is keen to bring in new additions on both the right and left side of his defence. Romano, citing sources, claims that Udogie is highly-rated by people at Manchester City due to his youth, versatility, and physicality. The 22-year-old, who is contracted to Spurs until summer 2030, has been described as ‘untouchable’ in the Italian media.
Romano, writing for Givemesport, stated: “The club is exploring alternative options on the market and sources tell us that one of the players appreciated internally at Manchester City is the Italian talent, Destiny Udogie. Udogie is highly-rated by people at Man City as he’s still very young, able to play on both wings and a physical player who has already proven himself in the Premier League at Tottenham Hotspur.”
Romano also revealed that Udogie is a firm target of incoming City sporting director Hugo Viana, who has been following the player since his time at Udinese. However, with Udogie’s contract still having five years to run, a deal to prise him away from Tottenham looks fraught with hurdles. Any negotiations with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy are anticipated to be ‘difficult’.
In addition to Udogie, Manchester City are also reportedly pursuing Andrea Cambiaso, a versatile Juventus star who can play on either side of the defence. According to Romano, City were interested in signing Cambiaso in January but were deterred by Juventus’s lofty demands. However, with a new approach from City, the Italian giants may be more willing to negotiate.
Romano added: “Man City’s new director Hugo Viana appreciates Udogie and was already following the player since he was at Udinese, when Spurs decided to invest in him with a move driven by Fabio Paratici.”
The potential swoop on Spurs has been described as problematic, with Udogie’s contract and Tottenham’s reluctance to sell to a Premier League rival likely to make negotiations challenging. Nevertheless, Manchester City are reportedly willing to invest heavily in a full-back this summer, with both Udogie and Cambiaso considered top targets.
As the summer transfer window approaches, Manchester City’s pursuit of Udogie and Cambiaso is set to be a key area of focus for the club. With 130 charges of Financial Fair Play (FFP) still hanging over their heads, Manchester City will need to navigate the complexities of the transfer market carefully to ensure compliance with regulations.
In related news, Teamtalk reports that Manchester City are also weighing up a move for Lamine Yamal, a teenager from Barcelona who has been touted as a potential record-breaking signing. Additionally, with Kevin De Bruyne set to leave the club this summer, City are looking to replace him with a top-class player, with Florian Wirtz and a Premier League ace reportedly on their radar.
This article was originally published on Teamtalk, and has been reproduced with permission.
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