The manager of Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, is not going to let the team’s fantastic season-ending accomplishments stop him from strengthening the roster this summer.
After winning the treble of the Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup in the 2022–23 season, the City manager has already acquired Mateo Kovacic of Chelsea to his squad.
Over the upcoming weeks, the alternatives available to the Spanish head coach can change again. Aymeric Laporte, a centre back who only appeared in 12 league games last season, is apparently being pursued by both Arsenal and Juventus.
Having fallen behind Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji, and Nathan Ake in the hierarchy, the Spain international may have to leave this summer in order to escape another season of inconsistent playing time.
Who could Manchester City sign to replace Aymeric Laporte?
The central defender for Chelsea, Levi Colwill, who may be the ideal replacement for Laporte, is attracting interest from a number of clubs, according to a recent story in The Evening Standard.
According to reports, the Blues have extended him a new contract to keep him at Stamford Bridge, but the England U21 international wants to speak with Mauricio Pochettino first to determine his future position before accepting.
Colwill, who might cost approximately £40m, is a left-footed defender who can play in the middle of the backline or as a full-back, so bringing him in would allow Guardiola to approve an exit for the former Athletic Bilbao enforcer.
Instead of being an immediate improvement over what the manager already has at his disposal, the 20-year-old youngster would be a great long-term addition to the team.
The English titan would not be counted on as a regular starter and would be given the opportunity to settle into life at The Etihad, which means he would suit the limited position that the £130k per week exile played last season.
Colwill, who was originally dubbed a “huge talent” by scout Jacek Kulig, had a Sofascore rating of 6.76 on average throughout the course of his 17 Premier League games while on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion in the 2022–23 season, which would have put him 19th in the City team.
However, he played in 29 Championship games for Huddersfield the season before, averaging a Sofascore rating of 7.10. With that score, he would be ranked ninth for City, above of players like Stones and Dias.
This means that if the gifted teenager can adjust to top-flight football and eventually carry his form for the Terriers over to the Premier League, he has the potential to be an elite left-footed center-back.
Therefore, Colwill could be a shrewd long-term investment by Guardiola and City, whilst also allowing the manager to part ways with Laporte before the deadline.