Manchester City are considering RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, Villarreal’s Pau Torres and Sevilla’s Jules Kounde as potential replacements for Nathan Ake, according to the Daily Telegraph‘s Mike McGrath.
The reliable journalist believes the three defenders are more realistic targets than Kalidou Koulibaly, due to the fact that City don’t have good relations with his club Napoli:
#MCFC to weigh up whether Ake is replaced, which could bring into play likes of Pau Torres, Jules Koundé or Joško Gvardiol. Koulibaly on market but City and Napoli have not done deals in recent windows https://t.co/7tkH6apYzD
— Mike McGrath (@mcgrathmike) July 8, 2022
Both Kounde and Gvardiol have actually been linked with Chelsea this summer, which is ironic considering they are the ones looking to sign Ake from the Citizens.
Torres has also been on Manchester United and Tottenham’s radar in recent months, so it is unlikely that Pep Guardiola’s side will have a clear run to sign any of their targets.
Of course, everything does depend on whether Ake completes his move to Stamford Bridge. City are said to be holding out for at least £45m for the Dutch international, which would give them a small profit on the fee they paid Bournemouth for the player two years ago.