Manchester City, Manchester United to go to war over Monaco defender?
Monaco’s Djibril Sidibe might induce a summer transfer battle between Manchester City and Manchester United.
A bidding war is brewing between the two great footballing houses of Manchester.
More from Man City Transfer Rumors
- Real Madrid to sign Julian Alvarez next year?
- Man City submit new bid for Matheus Nunes, after first was rejected
- Manchester City’s busy transfer week rounded-up
- Manchester City reported to make a sensational move for FC Barcelona midfielder
- Fulham and West Ham register interest in Manchester City defender
Or so that’s what the Manchester Evening News would have people believe. According to MEN, both Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho covet Monaco right back Djibril Sidibe for their defenses. Apparently, Guardiola scouted the French full back last month ahead of his club’s Champions League knockout stage date with the Ligue A side.
MEN also cites French sources asserting that Arsenal is also in the mix, but with Hector Bellerin locked up until 2022, there’s little to suggest that Gunners are that interested.
So that leaves Manchester City and Manchester United to vie for Sidibe’s signature.
City especially needs fresh blood in the back line. Next summer, Guardiola is expected to have a monstrous war chest to overhaul a porous defense that requires younger legs on the flanks and sterner stuff in the middle. Regular center backs Aleksandar Kolarov, Nicolas Otamendi and £47.5 million John Stones haven’t been cutting it. Furthermore, there’s not much in evidence to believe Vincent Kompany will ever remain fit enough to marshal the troops in back for any extended length of time.
So a’hunting for defenders Pep will go. And most recently, Guardiola’s eye has turned to France as a hunting ground. Rumors earlier this week linked City to two young Ligue A defenders. The 24-year-old Sidibe is older but seemingly an automatic first team player given the role he plays for table-topping Monaco.
Related Story: Manchester City looking to raid France for defensive reinforcements?
As for Mourinho and United, well, they’re going to be the blood-sucking vultures that they are. Eric Bailly, Daly Blind, Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling — whatever City’s inadequacies — don’t inspire that much confidence either.
Anyway, City fans should get a decent idea what Sidibe brings to the pitch when City take on Monaco twice in the coming weeks. The first meeting is Feb. 21, but here’s a primer in the meantime.
Next: Manchester City may break the bank for Dele Alli come summer