Man City’s De Bruyne transfer ‘plan’ clear as £102m price tag emerges

Manchester City are busy gearing up for another busy campaign but still have to navigate the summer transfer window.

Pep Guardiola is yet to make any new additions to his squad this summer, but Man City are already being linked with potential new signings. After retaining the Premier League title, Guardiola and Co. will be hoping that City will be able to challenge on all four fronts once again.

As the transfer window continues to roll on, City are continuing to be linked with several potential new signings. MEN Sport has taken a look at the latest rumours centring around possible new additions to Guardiola’s squad…

While City were previously interested in West Ham star Lucas Paqueta, the champions are now reportedly interested in signing his London Stadium team-mate Mohammed Kudus. According to Caught Offside, City are looking at signing Kudus – but only if one player leaves the Etihad Stadium.

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It has been claimed that Kudus has been identified as a replacement for Kevin De Bruyne if the 33-year-old midfielder leaves the club. However, City are said to be determined to keep the Belgium international despite apparent interest from Saudi Arabia.

Elsewhere, City are reportedly in the running to sign Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo. The Uruguay international’s future has been the subject of intense speculation over the last few months.

According to Spanish news outlet El Chiringuito, City are one of the clubs “best placed” to sign Araujo, along with Newcastle United. It has also been claimed that rivals Manchester United are also in the running to sign the centre-back this summer, although City are seemingly the most likely destination.

The report claims that Barcelona would demand a fee worth €120million (£102m). It remains to be seen if the La Liga giants would be open to a fee lower than that nine-figure price tag given it would be unaffordable for Newcastle and Man United.