Man City ‘to battle’ Liverpool for West Ham defender plus more transfer rumours
Manchester City are reportedly set to joust with Liverpool for the signature of West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd.
Pep Guardiola brought in Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig this summer ahead of the expected exit of Aymeric Laporte to Saudi Arabia. Kyle Walker looked to be heading to Bayern Munich in pre-season too, before Guardiola convinced the right-back to stay at the Etihad Stadium.
A report from the Sun claims the Blues are expecting a turnover in defensive players next year and are targeting Aguerd. The 27-year-old is also being tracked by Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool after impressing in his 33 appearances for West Ham, who bought him for £30million in 2022.
The Reds are looking for a centre-back partner to captain Virgil van Dijk, who is now 32. Liverpool are expected to be frontrunners for Aguerd, who would likely be offered more game time than at City.
READ MORE: Walker offers update on new City contract talks
Meanwhile, the Daily Star says City are confident of landing Boca Juniors starlet Valentin Barco ahead of Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion. The 19-year-old left back is said to have an £8m release clause in his Juniors contract, something likely to be triggered by City in January.
Guardiola only has a handful of natural full-backs at the club with Joao Cancelo out on loan at Barcelona amid January’s apparent fallout. Sergio Gomez arrived last year but has failed to impress with Mani Akanji, Nathan Ake and Rico Lewis all ahead of him the position pecking order.
Barco is thought to be keen on a move to City having seen the likes of fellow Argentinians Carlos Tevez, Sergio Aguero and Pablo Zabaleta thrive at the club. The report adds that Juventus also hold an interest in the teenager.
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