There is plenty of football to play and trophies to win this season but plans for the summer transfer window will already be getting made.
It will be yet another crucial window for Manchester City as they look to continue their dominance of England, Europe and the whole world.
As things stand, it won’t have to be a transformative summer after two years of heavy recruitment but some key positions could do with strengthening.
A new full-back may be on the agenda given Kyle Walker is the only senior, natural one in the squad at present but the versatility of John Stones, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji and Josko Gvardiol negates the need somewhat.
City’s options aren’t as healthy in defensive midfield, though. Pep Guardiola is relying heavily on Rodri as no one else can play his position to the same standard.
A quality alternative should be the top target but a new forward could be a useful addition too. Guardiola has already explained how much of a fan he is of one potential target.
Pep Guardiola has already called one attacker ‘incredible’
The Blues have already suffered at the feet of Pedro Neto this season and the Wolves speedster would fit in perfectly.
Neto raced from his own half, shrugging off Foden and Nathan Ake, to tee up the opening goal in Wolves’ win over City in September.
Now it’s reported the 23-year-old could be up for sale in the summer so can Wolves can make their own signings and not breach financial regulations.
City are one of many teams credited with an interest in Neto and Guardiola is a big fan.
Even before he helped put City to the sword, Guardiola was full of praise for him. Speaking in 2021, he said: “Neto is an incredible player and Adama (Traore) as well.
“This team, when you let them run, they kill you. The pace, with (Ruben) Semedo from behind, but especially from Adama and Neto.”
Guardiola didn’t stop there, either, saying in September that he was ‘really, really good‘ and then after the loss: “In the transitions, Neto was better than us.”
Man City should move for Pedro Neto
It appears there will be heavy competition for Neto and City should throw their hat into the ring for his signature.
The Portuguese is already a proven Premier League quality but is still young and has plenty of room to get even better. Especially under Guardiola.
The signing and deployment of Jeremy Doku this season suggests the manager wants to utilise traditional wing play more with speed and skill, two things Neto would bring in abundance to the opposite flank.
Additionally, the signing would allow for Phil Foden to truly transition to a central role rather than having to fill in out wide on occasion.
It makes a lot of sense.
