Four players Manchester City could sign instead of Jorginho

The 2018 World Cup has come to an end with France clinching their second world title after the 1998 triumph, ending their 20-year World Cup drought as a result. And so with the conclusion of the all-important tournament, we are back to the transfer sagas that have been making the rounds in recent times.

The 2017-18 season saw the Premier League title being procured by the stunning Manchester City side tutored by the mastermind himself - Pep Guardiola. The Catalan genius managed to pull off a feat that left the world awestruck, winning the league trophy in glorious fashion.

However, the league's triumph does not guarantee success in the transfer market as well. When the transfer window was officially opened, the 47-year-old manager had some signings in mind from the word go.

And Napoli's Jorginho was (in all likelihood) atop that wishlist. In consequence, Manchester City had long been linked to the Italian, having all but sealed a deal.

Nevertheless, Chelsea were the club Jorginho opted to go for with the Blues snatching the 26-year-old from the hankering jaws of Manchester City.

Hence, Jorginho has sent The Citizens' transfer plans into utter disarray with the club now hunting for an alternative.

On that note, here are 4 players Manchester City could sign post Jorginho's brush-off.

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#4 Mario Lemina

Mario Lemina has caught the eye of Pep Guardiola

Mario Lemina was a player Pep Guardiola was keen to sign in case the Jorginho deal fell through and consequently, the Manchester City manager has reignited his interest in the Gabon international.

The former Juventus star, who was signed by Southampton only 12 months ago, underwent a disappointing 2017-18 season as he failed to live up to his billing. All the same, that fact has not put off Manchester City's interest who are still willing to sign the 24-year-old.

Lemina is a box-to-box midfielder with great power in his right foot, who can kick-start attacking runs after winning possession. He is also a versatile player in terms of position having also played on the flanks as a wing-back or full-back.

#3 Julian Weigl

Julian Weigl has been central to Borussia Dortmund's resurgence

Julian Weigl is another midfielder who possesses a playing style not too dissimilar to Jorginho's. The German comes across as a player ideal to Guardiola's way - boasting exceptional positioning intelligence along with the ability to dictate play with inch-perfect passes that compensate for his not-so-brilliant pace.

The 22-year-old has a lot more years left in him and could fulfill Guardiola's primary purpose of signing a midfielder at the moment - be Fernandinho's long-term replacement. By virtue of the great strides he has made, Real Madrid superstar Toni Kroos tipped Weigl to become a world-class player in 2017.

#2 Eden Hazard

Eden Hazard was splendid in the World Cup 2018

Needless to say, Eden Hazard is looking for a move away from Stamford Bridge as evidenced by his following statement:

“After six wonderful years at Chelsea, it might be time to discover something different. I can decide if I want to stay or go, but Chelsea will make the final decision."

And Manchester City could be his ultimate destination after returning from a phenomenal World Cup campaign where he notched up 3 goals and 2 assists to inspire The Red Devils to a third-place finish.

With the ball at his feet, the 27-year-old is a menacing sight for the rearguards as he boasts the potential to slalom past defenders effortlessly before making a neat assist or leathering the ball into the back of the net all by himself.

#1 Mateo Kovačić

Kovacic has found game time hard to come by at Real Madrid

Owing to the dearth of playing minutes at Santiago Bernabeu, Mateo Kovacic is seeking a move away from Los Blancos. And the club which is eager to sign him is - Manchester City.

The Croat has long been linked with a potential move to the Premier League champions ever since the transfer window opened. Nevertheless, the sticking point in the negotiations could be the £80m eye-watering price tag slapped by Real Madrid on their prized asset.

If the deal materialises, Pep Guardiola will have an immensely gifted player at his disposal who is well-known for his creativity, technical know-how, passing and dribbling.