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Manchester City circling Bundesliga midfield sensation

By Nikhil Venkat Sai

Leipzig's French midfielder Christopher Nkunku (L) and Dortmund's Swiss defender Manuel Akanji vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund in Leipzig, eastern Germany, on November 6, 2021. - DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)
Leipzig's French midfielder Christopher Nkunku (L) and Dortmund's Swiss defender Manuel Akanji vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match between RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund in Leipzig, eastern Germany, on November 6, 2021. - DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Manchester City were heavily linked with West Ham United’s Declan Rice this past summer. The Hammers had placed a £100 million price tag on their skipper and no team made a move for him. Having said that, the transfer value of Rice is expected to be significantly increased, following his recent outings.

Hammers boss David Moyes recently said that the £100 million ‘bargain fee’ for Rice is now ‘gone’. One thing that is clear from this is that City will need to empty their transfer pocket if they are to sign Rice next summer.

Christopher Nkunku of RB Leipzig has been lighting up the Bundesliga and the Champions League this season. The 23-year-old who plays as an attacking midfielder has managed to get on to the scoresheet 11 times this season. The Frenchman even managed to grab a hat-trick against Manchester City at the Etihad when these two teams met early on in the season. The German side did go on to lose 6-3 in that game but Nkunku’s performance certainly commanded attention.

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German outlet BILD (relayed by Sport Witness) understands that City have made initial contact through intermediaries to enquire about a possible transfer involving the 23-year-old.

Pep Guardiola was impressed by the 23-year-old’s performances and Nkunku could prove to be a much cheaper alternative to Declan Rice for the Cityzens. Moreover, Nkunku is a versatile player who can be deployed on the attacking flanks as well.

The Frenchman is also being scouted by FC Barcelona but it remains to be seen if the former La Liga champions will bid for him, given their current disastrous financial state.

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Leipzig paid £11.7 million to Paris Saint-Germain 2 years back and decided not to insert any release clause in Nkunku’s contract. This means that City will have to negotiate on a transfer fee with the German giants, who will be looking to make a profit on their £11.7 million investment.

While the estimated transfer fee is unlikely to cross the £70m mark, City will have to be on their toes as a number of clubs from England, Spain, and Italy are said to be courting the midfielder.

Do you think Manchester City will sign Christopher Nkunku or will they launch another attempt for Declan Rice?

Do let us know.

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