Manchester City have opened talks with David Alaba over a potential transfer move next summer, according to reports from The Sun. The report claims that Pep Guardiola has asked City's sporting director and close friend Txiki Begiristain to focus on signing two full-backs next season with Alaba on top of his wishlist.
The Sun have claimed that Alaba’s representatives have already met with Man City’s directors to push the transfer through next summer. Guardiola is a big fan of Alaba’s abilities on the ball which saw the Austrian make a successful move from the left back role to a regular starter in Bayern Munich’s midfield.
Also read: Barcelona transfer news: Manchester City were ready to spend £90m for Luis Suarez in the summer
According to reports, Alaba is valued at £40million which City are prepared to pay if Bayern agree to sell their star man. One major hurdle for City in signing Alaba will be the new long-term contract the 24-year-old had signed earlier this year.
The Austrian is currently on a £75000 per week salary which City are willing to double if the player decides to make a move to the Premier League next summer.
Alaba to Man City is not totally unheard of
When Pep Guardiola was named the new Manchester City manager earlier in the summer, there were wide reports of him bringing some Barcelona and Bayern Munich players with him to the Premier League. Two names which kept popping up, again and again, were Thiago Alcantara and David Alaba.
Although neither ended up signing up for Man City the general belief around the club was that the duo would play for the Citizens in the near future.
Will we see a position swap for Alaba?
Given Manchester City’s lack of quality in the full-back areas, it is fair to assume that Pep could make similar changes to what he did with Alaba at Bayern Munich. At present, Alaba is one of the best left-backs in the world, if not the best and Man City can really use his exploits in that role.
The likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Fernandinho, and David Silva are enough to provide the creativity from midfield so the versatile Austrian could take over from Gael Clichy and Aleksander Kolarov as Manchester City’s premier left back in coming seasons.
Manchester City have started well under their new manager and are currently joint top of the Premier League and with Pep looking to build for the future, expect City to be one of the strongest challengers for Premier League and Champions League success in the coming years.
(Video courtesy: BlansaroniTV YouTube channel)
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