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The 2018-19 Premier League campaign concluded with Manchester City successfully lifting the trophy for the second consecutive year. The Citizens had one of the most successful years this time, while stamping their authority on the FA Cup.
Their recent achievements speak volumes about their squad strength, despite the excellent prowess of Pep Guardiola and his coaching staff. They are reportedly set to target as many as four new faces with a reported transfer budget of £200m.
Several reports claim that Pep Guardiola wants to freshen up the squad with a defender, two midfielders and a striker. Some big names are said to be unsettled and could be interested in pastures new, allowing room for new recruits. City should look for potential matchwinners and with that in mind, let's take a look at three players who could potentially be playing for City once this summer is complete:
#3 Rodri (Atletico Madrid)
According to reports, City have submitted a formal offer for Atletico Madrid central midfielder Rodri. The Citizens are ready to match his £61m release clause and it's now up to the young Spaniard on whether he's interested in making the move.
The 22-year-old has been a promising figure under Diego Simeone and featured in 34 La Liga games this term too, tormenting the opposition with his astute technique and defensive prowess in midfield.
City certainly need to secure a long-term replacement for the ageing Fernandinho, who might not have many seasons left in him at 34-years-old and given his injury struggles this season, it's more a pressing issue than before.
Rodri appears like an ideal option to replace the veteran as he's young and already earned invaluable experience playing for one of Europe's top clubs. City's success in the transfer market and the way they've developed their acquisitions in recent seasons could tempt the midfielder to seal the deal, not least with the prospect of being managed by Pep Guardiola a welcome sweeten
#2 Joao Felix (Benfica)
Joao Felix had an awesome year with Benfica this season. The 19-year-old surprised everyone, scoring a hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League quarter-finals.
He now holds the record for being the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the prestigious tournament and naturally, Guardiola holds serious ambitions to win the Champions League - adding a player of his quality and world-class potential would prove a welcome boost in the final third.
Although the Portuguese giants are said to have reportedly hiked his release clause, the Citizens are among the top sides said to be seriously considering a big-money move for his services. Despite being a teenager with only a year's first-team experience, it'd be a costly acquisition for interested suitors.
Some reports claim that City would have to offload Gabriel Jesus in order to then afford the cost required to acquire Felix. After the Brazilian's brilliant display during this weekend's FA Cup final, it could prove easier to find some suitors for him despite a lack of first-team starts this past season - particularly if they are hell-bent in signing Felix.
#1 Matthijs de Ligt (Ajax)
Almost every top team is reportedly targeting the young Ajax captain. Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal and Bayern Munich are some of the top names rumoured to have the teenager on their wishlist - though City are also among those sides and are believed to be preparing a £50m move for the Netherlands international.
According to Simon Mullock of the Mirror, City manager Pep Guardiola intends to have de Ligt as a potential long-term replacement for Vincent Kompany. The 32-year-old has been in-and-out of the side due to persistent injury problems and only started 13 league matches this term, including six of their last eight games.
After Saturday's FA Cup final, the Belgian revealed he'd be departing the club after eleven years to pursue future endeavours as a player-coach at Anderlecht on a three-year deal. With that in mind, there is a need for City to adequately replace him - signing a successor ahead of the new campaign.
Who would be a better replacement option than the young breakout star Matthijs de Ligt? Certainly he'd prove an asset for the Citizens like no other player and at the heart of City's backline, the future would appear even brighter for the successive champions.
