3 centre-backs that Man City should consider

Coral run the rule over potential recruits

Manchester City have already spent £220m this summer and they’re not done yet. City are Premier League favourites at 13/8 and are still looking to add a centre-back to their squad – some of their attacking play was incredible last season, but they were let down at the back far too often.

Vincent Kompany’s fitness can’t be relied upon, Nicolas Otamendi hasn’t fully convinced during his time in England and John Stones is promising but still error-prone. Another defender would give them the depth needed to compete on four fronts this season.

City have already had an £18m bid turned down for West Bromwich Albion captain Jonny Evans and the Coral News team have taken a look at three other centre-backs they should consider:

Ben Gibson

Middlesbrough may have been relegated last season, but it was their attack that was the biggest problem. Ben Gibson impressed in the heart of defence and helped them to keep 11 clean sheets.

City are already rumoured to be monitoring him as an alternative to Evans. Vincent Kompany’s leadership is sorely missed when he’s absent, and the Boro captain would help to address that weakness.

His rugged defending and composure on the ball impressed in the top flight and he’d also boost the homegrown ranks at the Etihad Stadium.

Inigo Martinez

Barcelona were thought to be closing in on a deal for Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez, but their interest seems to have cooled since Neymar’s departure.

That could open the door for City to swoop in. Martinez has a £29m release clause in his contract and he’d be well suited to the possession-based game that Guardiola demands from his team.

Martinez is left-footed, unlike the Catalan’s current central defenders, and he would offer the side additional angles when passing out from the back.

Aymeric Laporte

It can seem like Guardiola prioritises technical quality over the ability to defend with defenders, but Aymeric Laporte is able to provide both.

The 23-year-old came close to joining City last year, only to sign an extension at Athletic Bilbao instead. He’s continued to improve in the time since and is now a very reliable presence at the back.

He won’t come cheap though. His release clause now stands at £52m and the Citizens would likely have to pay it in full to clinch the former France Under-21 international’s signature.

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