'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
Manchester City is playing scintillating football this season and has managed to establish a massive lead at the top of the Premier League table.
City's rivals Manchester United are just about hanging on in the title race and are currently 8 points behind City in second place.
City is currently in the quarterfinals of the League Cup and has also progressed to the round of 16 in the UEFA Champions League. As the fixtures come in thick and fast, Pep Guardiola will look to reinforce his side and according to reports from the Sun, OGC Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri has been identified as a potential transfer target.
In case you didn't know..
Nice was impressive in the last Ligue 1 season, finishing in third place behind league leaders AS Monaco and second-placed PSG.
Seri was praised for his performances and his ability to break down opposition attacks, while also creating chances on the counter. The central midfielder provided 10 assists in the league last season by winning the ball and quickly transitioning from defence to attack.
The heart of the matter
Seri was publicly courted by Barcelona in the summer transfer window, but a concrete offer failed to materialize before transfer deadline day and Seri eventually stayed put at Nice.
Seri then got into an argument with Nice officials and accused them of intentionally blocking the move, which was denied by Nice president Jean-Pierre Riviere.
Things have not gone smoothly for Nice this season, and they currently sit in 14th place in Ligue 1.
Seri has expressed his desire to move away from the club on several occasions, even acknowledging PSG's interest in him by saying that he admires the philosophy of the club.
Arsenal has also shown an interest in the midfielder and hopes to bring him in to replace the injured Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere, who will be out of contract in 2018.
Video:
Author's Take
Manchester City is clearly in an advantageous position when you consider the other clubs that will be trying to acquire Seri's services in January. Paris Saint Germain are currently being investigated by UEFA for failing to comply with Financial Fair Pay rules and the club will have to sell some players before they can afford Seri. Manchester City also more money than Arsenal and can offer Seri a more realistic shot at winning a league title.
