5 players who can replace David Silva at Manchester City

#3 Thiago - Bayern Munich

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has coached Thiago before

One player who Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola knows very well is Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago.

Guardiola has coached the midfielder at both Barcelona and Bayern Munich and was the manager who brought Thiago as his first signing to Germany. The diminutive Spaniard is in a precarious position with the Bundesliga champions. He has refused to sign a new contract and with just one year left in his current deal, he looks set to leave the club at the end of the season.

At 29 years of age, he is not the youngest option. But the Spaniard's quality would add another dimension to the Manchester City midfield.

This season for Bayern Munich, Thiago has made 36 appearances in all competitions with three goals and two assists to his name.

#2 Martin Odegaard - Real Madrid

Martin Odegaard in action for Real Sociedad

Martin Odegaard has been in fine form for Real Sociedad this season. Having joined on loan from Real Madrid last summer, the midfielder has been Real Sociedad's best player.

A prodigious talent who made his debut for Norway at the age of 15, Odegaard has always been highly-rated. There were fears during his initial spell at Real Madrid that he would not be able to fulfil his talent.

However, that has not been the case. Odegaard was Vitesse's best player when he played for them a couple of seasons ago and his form has continued in Spain.

Decision taken: Martin Ødegaard will be staying at La Real for one more season. That's what the player and the club decided together. [@AS_SergioSantos] pic.twitter.com/PeiqDu37fY
— Infinite Madrid (@InfiniteMadrid) June 21, 2020

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There have been some injury issues this season. Despite that, he looks ready to make the step-up. Zinedine Zidane apparently sees him as a replacement for the legendary Luka Modric, who is in the twilight years of his career.

This season, he has made 34 appearances in all competitions for Real Sociedad, with seven goals and six assists to his name.

#1 Houssem Aouar - Lyon

Houssem Aouar has been linked with Manchester City before

Another player who has been perenially linked with Manchester City for quite some time now. Houssem Aouar is an incredibly talented player and looks set to leave Lyon this summer.

An academy graduate of the Ligue 1 outfit, Aouar has been one of the best players for the club since making his debut in 2017. The France U21 international can play on the left-wing as well, making him a versatile option.

If Wijnaldum leaves #LFC in the summer, BIG IF, then Aouar is the perfect player to come in this summer.Within 4 UCL apps this season he contributed:• 1G & 2A• 4.5 dribbles/90• 2.5 tackles/90 • 1.3 key passes/90Great at holding onto the ball and resisting pressure! pic.twitter.com/Whpb8I9lHt
— 19 🏆 (@RedFromThe6) January 6, 2020