Soccer Football - World Cup - South American Qualifiers - Chile v Argentina - Estadio Zorros del Desierto, Calama, Chile - January 27, 2022 Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico in action Pool via REUTERS/Javier Torres
As per Calciomercato, it appears Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola have re-joined the race for a familiar target in Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico.
The Lowdown: Tagliafico targeted in 2020…
Reliable reports back in 2020 tipped Guardiola and the Sky Blues with a real interest in signing Argentina’s left-back back in 2020.
Sky Sports claimed that City had earmarked Tagliafico as a player on the shortlist to replace makeshift defender Oleksandr Zinchenko if he were to leave Eastlands.
The broadcast giant were told of ‘early’ interest in the Eredivisie ace even before sporting director Txiki Begiristain made a decision on Zinchenko with City’s ace eventually staying in Manchester.
At the time, they would have had to invest substantially to acquire Tagliafico, with Sky journalist Rob Dorsett claiming that Ajax valued their man at £40 million.
Now, as reports suggest they will sell for as little as €7 million (£6m), it appears Guardiola’s men have re-entered the race for Tagliafico as that initial price tag plummets by 85%.
The Latest: Man City re-join Tagliafico race…
According to Calciomercato, the Premier League champions are back in the picture for Ajax’s full-back as City keep tabs alongside Napoli and Barcelona.
The Italian source adds that Tagliafico could now leave at the end of June, with his contract expiring in 2023.
The Verdict: Why?
The player is approaching 30-years-old and seemingly won’t have that much longer at the top level or in a physically demanding division like the Premier League.
Guardiola’s side also have Joao Cancelo who can operate on that side with the Portuguese star standing out as one of City’s most untouchable players this season.
In place of the 27-year-old, Nathan Ake, Zinchenko and even Aymeric Laporte are capable of slotting in at left-back when required – begging the question why Tagliafico’s signing could be necessary?
Despite being labelled a ‘big-name’ and ‘good standard of player’ by former Premier League full-back Alan Hutton , we believe City have more than enough of those on that side.
In other news: Man City now preparing bid to sign new forward target in ‘special’ £67m man! Find out more here.
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