CITY Blues boss rules out move for Matt
PEP Guardiola has ruled out a move for Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt, with the City manager determined to focus on his midfield and attack this summer.
The Premier League champions have been repeatedly linked with the 18-yearold centre-back, who is a target for Tottenham.
But Guardiola has no plans to make any additions to his rearguard after spending around £180m in that department over the past 12 months.
The club record £57m signing of Aymeric Laporte in January followed deals for Kyle Walker, Benjamin Mendy and Danilo last summer.
Guardiola has now set his sights on bolstering in midfield and attack, with City currently negotiating deals for Jorginho and Riyad Mahrez. The signing of Jorginho has stalled as Napoli hold out for closer to £60m for the Italian international.
The 26-year-old was expected to complete a move to the Etihad this week, with his agent Joao Santos flying in to Manchester to conclude formalities.
But Napoli have rejected one bid of around £40m and are determined to drive his price up.
City are also closing in on Leicester winger Mahrez in a deal worth around £60m.
Those positions are considered priorities for Guardiola after finalising City’s transfer plans with chief executive, Ferran Soriano, and director of football, Txiki Begiristain, in January.
Should moves for Jorginho and Mahrez fall through, Guardiola has drawn up a list of back-up options, with Southampton’s Mario Lemina, Real Madrid’s Mateo Kovacic and Nice’s Jean-Michael Seri all potential alternatives. In attack, City’s manager is also an admirer of Wilfried Zaha and Leon Bailey.
Guardiola is content with his defence, which has a depth of cover following the arrival of Laporte and Benjamin Mendy’s return to fitness at the end of the season.
With Vincent Kompany, John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and Laporte, City have a host of options in the centre of defence should Guardiola play with two or three at the back.
Walker can also operate as one of three centre-backs.
Guardiola also has quality cover in both full-back positions with Walker and Danilo on the right and Mendy and Fabian Delph on the left.
Kompany’s triumphant return to fitness in the second half of last season has alleviated the need to strengthen further – while Laporte provides deeper cover, enabling Guardiola to rest his captain more often.