Manchester City only brought two new players to the club during the previous summer transfer window.
Specifically, in addition to bringing Ilkay Gundogan back to the Etihad Stadium on a free transfer from Barcelona, City also secured a deal worth £33m for Savinho.
Despite that, Pep Guardiola’s team were linked with moves for multiple other players from the Premier League and beyond.
In fact, the Manchester club have been linked with transfer moves for other players even since the previous summer window closed.
On that subject, one name who has reportedly found his way onto City’s transfer radar recently showed why the Blues have such an interest in him.
- Man City transfer rumours: Every player linked to and from the Etihad in summer transfer window
Raphinha wowed for Barcelona amid Man City transfer links
Earlier this month, it was reported that City have their eyes on Raphinha, after previously having an interest in the Barcelona winger during the 2023 summer transfer window.
In his latest match for the Spanish club, who he joined back in the 2022 summer window from Leeds United, the winger bagged a hat-trick in their 4-1 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
He also made two key passes before being substituted off for Dani Olmo – who City were linked with last summer before eventually joining Barcelona.
Focusing back on Raphinha, this recent hat-trick has taken his tally for the season to nine goals and eight assists in 13 games across the Champions League and La Liga.
Guardiola has already hailed Raphinha
Guardiola has already shared his thoughts on the Brazil international, as he described Raphinha as an “exceptional” player (via Yorkshire Evening Post) back in 2021 when he was still at Leeds.
Having scored a hat-trick in such a big game against Vincent Kompany’s side, it’s clear that the 27-year-old has what it takes to deliver on the European stage.
With that in mind, Raphinha will have now surely passed any necessary audition to convince Guardiola that City should make a transfer move for him.
