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Manchester City express interest in RB Leipzig’s rising star

By Rohan Sengupta

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Riyad Mahrez (Hidden) of Manchester City celebrates with team mates (L - R) Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at Etihad Stadium on March 10, 2021 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 10: Riyad Mahrez (Hidden) of Manchester City celebrates with team mates (L - R) Bernardo Silva, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Fernandinho, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden after scoring their side's second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Southampton at Etihad Stadium on March 10, 2021 in Manchester, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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According to a report by Spanish news outlet Fichajes, Manchester City are among the European clubs that have expressed an interest in RB Leipzig midfielder Christopher Nkunku.

A product of the Paris Saint-Germain Academy, Christopher Nkunku, 23, left for RB Leipzig in July 2019 after failing to become a regular starter at the club. Over the last two years, the former France Under-21 international has become a key player at RB Leipzig.

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The 23-year-old midfielder has racked up 91 appearances to date for the German club, registering 16 goals and 28 assists in the process. Nkunku’s impressive performances haven’t gone unnoticed, with Paris Saint-Germain considering the possibility of re-signing the 23-year-old, who is also watched by Bayern Munich, claims Fichajes.

Manchester City are stacked in the midfield department, which makes their interest in the RB Leipzig man a bit surprising. However, with Fernandinho in the final phase of his career, Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva facing an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium and Kevin de Bruyne having become injury-prone in the last two years, it is plausible why the Sky Blues would be watching Nkunku.

Nkunku is a versatile player who can operate in multiple positions across the midfield, as well as operate out wide, if required. The French midfielder is an energetic presence with solid technique on the ball and great speed, capable of opening up rigid defenses with his vision. He is a good passer of the ball and can also dribble out of tight spaces.

At Manchester City, Fernandinho is currently Guardiola’s best option for the holding midfielder’s role. But the Brazilian is aging and cannot produce performances at consistent levels week in, week out. Rodri is likely to succeed Fernandinho in the future but he is yet to prove himself at Manchester City while Ilkay Gundogan will turn 31 next month.

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This is where a player in the ilk of Nkunku can be a game-changer for Guardiola’s side. The 23-year-old Frenchman may not be a first-team option straight away but the Leipzig man, having done very well in the Bundesliga and Europe, could be more than a decent backup for City’s midfield.

In addition, Guardiola and co. got a close chance to watch Nkunku in action in City’s 6-3 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League, wherein the midfielder stole the headlines with a hat-trick last week.

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