Manchester City to finally address key squad issue, as Pep Guardiola targets greater harmony : report

Manchester City to finally address key squad issue, as Pep Guardiola targets greater harmony : report

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during the UEFA Champions League match between Manchester City and BSC Young Boys at Etihad Stadium on November 7, 2023 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)

Manchester City look set to finally address a key issue in their squad in the summer transfer window, having opted for versatile options at left-back instead of a specialist.

 

 

Indeed, Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol and Joao Cancelo have all started there for Pep Guardiola in recent seasons, though none of them are conventional left-backs as such.

 

While Manchester City did sign Sergio Gomez in the summer of 2022, the Spaniard has largely been consigned to a bit-part role as Guardiola seemingly doesn’t trust him in high-profile games. Manchester City could look to solve their left-back issue in the summer, though, as they look to bring in a regular starter.

 

Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester City at Bramall Lane on August 27, 2023 in Sheffield, England.

Gvardiol has largely played at left-back since joining

According to Turkish outlet Fotomac, Manchester City are targeting Fenerbahce full-back Ferdi Kadioglu. A versatile option, Kadioglu is right-footed and is therefore capable at playing right-back.

 

 

Comfortable on the ball, the 24-year-old loves to join attacks with his lung-bursting runs forward, while he’s also diligent in his defensive duties.

 

This term he has played every single minute of Fenerbahce’s Turkish Super Lig campaign, except from one game in which he was injured.

 

Ferdi Kadioglu of Fenerbahce seen in action during the match. Fenerbahce and Samsunspor faced each other in the Trendyol Super Lig (Turkish Super League), the match took place at Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Stadium (Photo by YAGIZ GURTUG / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by YAGIZ GURTUG/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images) Manchester City target

Kadioglu has grabbed Guardiola’s attention

Though Kadioglu has only registered two assists and failed to score a goal so far this term in the league, he’s more of a creative player who likes to operate from deep on the ball. This could lend himself perfectly to Guardiola’s inverted full-back system, as he steps inside onto his stronger right foot to overload the midfield.

 

Plus, the Turkish international won’t break the bank. With his Fenerbahce contract expiring in 2026, Kadioglu could well be available for less than £30m in the summer.

 

Transfermarkt currently values Kadioglu at £17m.