Premier League champions Manchester City sets sights on Super Eagles defender as a long term replacement for Kyle Walker
Premier League champions Manchester City are keeping tabs on Super Eagles defender Ola Aina as a potential replacement for Kyle Walker, Soccernet.ng reports.
Manchester City are currently enduring their worst campaign under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola. The Cityzens have struggled to reach their usually high levels, as they have won just nine of their 19 games.
They have been conceding goals aplenty, as they have conceded 26 goals in the Premier League, the highest among the top eight. Some of their defenders have let them down, with Ruben Dias, John Stones, and Kyle Walker disappointing them in recent weeks.
Manchester City v Manchester United, ManU – Emirates FA Cup Final Phil Foden, John Stones, and Kyle Walker of Manchester City are playing during The Emirates FA Cup Final soccer match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London, England, on May 25, 2024. London United Kingdom
Coach Guardiola will be looking to revamp his squad between January and June. And according to Transfer News Live, Aina is an option.
The Super Eagles right-back has been phenomenal for Nottingham Forest. He has produced two goals in 19 appearances, helping them keep clean sheets in eight of those games.
The Tricky Trees are having a dream campaign, as they sit second pending the results of the Premier League fixtures for Monday.
Aina who is 28, could be a replacement for Walker who appears to be nearing the end of his time at Manchester City.
Man City
(credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Manchester City could suffer a £100million hit if they fail to qualify for the Champions League after their disappointing first half of the season.
That is the view of former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider that blow will be slightly offset by non-Champions League clauses in some of their players’ contracts.
Man City have won four straight Premier League titles after successfully seeing off a challenge from Arsenal last season.
But their title hopes have now all but gone this season following a run of just one win in 13 games in all competitions prior to their fixture against Leicester City.
Pep Guardiola admitted (via The Times) failing to qualify for the Champions League would create financial issues for Man City.
Man City players have Champions League reduction clauses
Borson revealed it will be a substantial hit for the English champions if they miss out on a place in the competition for next season.
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He told Football Insider: “You have got a hit straight away in the new format of probably £70-80million from broadcast, assuming you get to the round of 16 or quarter-finals.
“Overall, I would think it’s about a £100million hit.
“There is a bit that you will offset because they will make a bit of a saving on wages. I doubt all of them, but some of them will have a non-Champions League reduction.
“There will also be other savings operationally that you will make with the costs that go with being in the Champions League.
“It’s £100million that will largely affect the bottom line.
“It is a very substantial one-year financial hit, but we have seen lots of teams have had to deal with that in Liverpool, Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea.
“That is one of the attractions and one of the risks of the Premier League. Ultimately, six or seven into four or five don’t go, and people are going to miss out.
Source
The Super Eagles defender has a contract that lasts until the end of the 2025 season, but Nottingham Forest will likely push for him to sign a contract extension due to his impressive performances.
Moving to Manchester City would be a big achievement for Aina, as they are currently one of the biggest clubs in the world
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