The view of the Manchester City squad this year has been very good but thin on the ground in certain areas, potentially a few serious injuries from losing grip on their domination of the Premier League.
This summer’s transfer window returned a healthy profit of more than £50 million following sales of key squad players, and good business regarding multiple incomings. That profit will allow a splurge in the summer without any penalties from the FFP rulings.
Manchester City took advantage of a release clause for Erling Haaland, snapping the Norwegian up for a snip. He has hit the ground running and has already returned a chunk of his £54million fee.
Now, another release clause comes active at the end of the season.
Christopher Nkunku has been a rising star for RB Leipzig with 35 goals and 20 assists in the 52 appearances last season and showed his credentials when the German side played City in the Champions League group stage last season.
He bagged a hat-trick in the game at the Etihad and has gone from strength to strength.
One assist in three following his move from Paris Saint-Germain, plus his impressive goalscoring return, will definitely see the Frenchman as a Pep Guardiola player.
A fee of £52million is on the table for his contract as it becomes active at the end of the season, however Chelsea appears to have already made their move for the Graham Potter revolution at Stamford Bridge.
According to reports in BILD, he has completed a ‘secret’ medical in Frankfurt ahead of a planned move next summer but nothing is signed and delivered as far as we know.
Bernardo Silva, Ilkay Gundogan and Jack Grealish have all been rumoured to be heading for the exit door, so getting Nkunku from under the noses of Premier League rivals will offer a star player for a reasonable price.
His position on the right will allow Foden to move to his preferred left or move into midfield, however Nkunku is just as much capable to play multiple positions in the attacking half of the pitch.
If reports are to be believed, talks between Nkunku and Chelsea are progressing rapidly, which leaves the hierarchy at City rushing around to strike a deal for the young talent.
We may have to look elsewhere for our next star in blue.
I say, let’s go and get him. A greater addition to the quest of the Premier League and Champions League.