Manchester City were sporadically linked with central defenders during the summer transfer window.
With Vincent Kompany returning to Belgium for a role with Anderlecht, it was assumed Pep Guardiola may try to bring someone in.
That may well have seen Nicolas Otamendi leave the Premier League champions. The Argentine was repeatedly linked with a return to Spanish football, however, his wages were were seen as a problem by the clubs interested.
Aymeric Laporte picking up a knee injury and undergoing surgery has led to speculation about what Guardiola may be keen to do in the winter market. Italy’s Calciomercato say it’s enough to make top Serie A clubs ‘tremble’ and worry about Manchester City coming along to tempt their defenders away.
Both Milan clubs and Napoli will be doing the trembling, Calciomercato believe, as they name Milan’s Alessio Romagnoli, Inter’s Milan Škriniar and Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly as potential options.
Depending on how their seasons are going at the time, it’s unlikely any of the clubs would be willing to help City out. And before any big purchase was contemplated, those in charge at the Etihad would surely want to see how Laporte’s recovery is going.
