Fansided

5 players Manchester City should target this summer

By Liam Bekker

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City celebrates during the FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Watford at Wembley Stadium on May 18, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Victoria Haydn/Man City via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 18: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City celebrates during the FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Watford at Wembley Stadium on May 18, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Victoria Haydn/Man City via Getty Images) /
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(L-R) Hakim Ziyech of Ajax, Daley Blind of Ajax, Klaas Jan Huntelaar of Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax, Perr Schuurs of Ajax, Dusan Tadic of Ajax, Lasse Schone of Ajax, Frenkie de Jong of Ajax with the Dutch Eredivisie trophy, dish during the Dutch Eredivisie match between De Graafschap Doetinchem and Ajax Amsterdam at De Vijverberg stadium on May 15, 2019 in Doetinchem, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
(L-R) Hakim Ziyech of Ajax, Daley Blind of Ajax, Klaas Jan Huntelaar of Ajax, Matthijs de Ligt of Ajax, Perr Schuurs of Ajax, Dusan Tadic of Ajax, Lasse Schone of Ajax, Frenkie de Jong of Ajax with the Dutch Eredivisie trophy, dish during the Dutch Eredivisie match between De Graafschap Doetinchem and Ajax Amsterdam at De Vijverberg stadium on May 15, 2019 in Doetinchem, The Netherlands(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /

Matthijs de Ligt

Another player who would warrant a significant financial outlay is Ajax’s Matthijs de Ligt. The 19-year-old captained his side to Eredivisie glory this season and saw his charges come within inches of reaching a historic Champions League final.

Despite widespread criticism and investigations into the club’s financial behavior, Guardiola will have the backing from the City board to finance a deal for a player like De Ligt. He will, however, face competition from the club’s two biggest rivals, Liverpool and Manchester United, who have both been credited with an interest in the Ajax star.

The Dutch international will reportedly cost anywhere north of £70 million ($88 million) but it’s an investment City would be wise to make. Nicolas Otamendi is likely to leave in the summer and longstanding captain Vincent Kompany has already departed, leaving a gaping hole in center of defense.

De Ligt is the perfect player to fill that hole. He is a natural-born leader and despite his youth would slip seamlessly into the shoes left behind by Kompany. He would be competing for a position with Aymeric Laporte and John Stones but strength in depth was the key to City’s success this season and the Dutch Footballer of the Year would only make them stronger.

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