Manchester City have sorted out Ajax left-back as the next transfer target.
Image source: eurofootballrumours.com
Manchester City are reportedly interested in signing Ajax left-back Nicolas Tagliafico as the Ethiad outfit want to extend their spending spree. Pep Guardiola has been working on reinforcing the defence and now wants to add a left-back to the ranks.
City also consider Tagliafico as a relatively cheaper option – Ajax rated him around £22m – than Bayern Munich’s David Alaba, another target for Sky Blues.
Moreover, Tagliafico is understood to be open to a move to Premier League, and Ajax manager Erik Ten Hag had had previously hinted about the Argentine’s possible exit this summer.
“The market value of players will be slightly depressed, but not much. Based on their performance and ambition, a number of our players also want to make a move abroad.
“Agreements have been made with Andre Onana, Donny van de Beek and Nicolas Tagliafico, but it remains to be seen whether the market is indeed breaking loose.
“For Onana and Van de Beek, another year of Ajax could certainly be an option, for Tagliafico it is slightly different because of his age.”
Of the three players, Van de Beek has made speculations become true after joining Manchester United.
Tagliafico, 28, has become an integral part of the Amsterdam outfit since joining them from Independiente in 2018. Over the course, the Argentine contributed to the team’s success in the domestic level as well the European Competitions – the 2018/19 season where Ajax reached the semi-finals of Champions League.
He has also been a regular for the Argentine national team and their manager Lionel Scaloni has placed a huge trust on the left-back. Tagliafico had also attracted interest from Chelsea in the past and most recently Leicester City. The Foxes have registered an interest in signing him, looking to find a replacement for Ben Chilwell, who Joined Chelsea.
First, City are planning to offload Oleksandr Zinchenko so only they can afford any new transfer. Although the Ukrainian turns out to be an important squad player, he has never attained the starter status under Guardiola. Zinchenko has been reportedly offered to La Liga giants Barcelona.
Tagliafico could compete with Benjamin Mendy for the first-team spot as the French man’s performance hasn’t been impressive post his injury return.
Tagliafico’s need also looks high following City’s uncharacteristic start to the season, getting thrashed by Leicester City 5-2 in their previous Premier League fixture.
