Aymeric Laporte is one of the best centre-halves in world football at the moment and has been vital in Manchester City’s successes over the past few years.
Even more so, many have labelled his six-month absence as the main reason as to why Pep Guardiola’s side have struggled to retain the Premier League crown this season.
City fans will be hoping to see the Frenchman stay fit and healthy throughout the next campaign, but may also be hoping for a new signing to partner him at the back.
Both John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have had their struggles in defence, and whilst Fernandinho deputised at the back when needed, his best position lies in that defensive midfield role.
For those reasons, another centre back signing in the summer may just be what Manchester City need in order to get back on top.
So… Who could they get?
Dayot Upamecano
One of Europe’s hottest prospect’s at the moment, Upamecano has been a revelation at Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
The 21-year-old has been an integral part of a defence that has only conceded 26 goals in the league this season.
Blessed with pace and strength in the tackle, Upamecano is definitely one for the future. However, City would have to dig deep into the cheque book in order to prise him away from Leipzig.
The Frenchman also boasts a frame of 6’1″, and with Champions League experience already under his belt, he may well be a perfect fit for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Koulibaly has been hot on the radar of a number of European giants for quite a while now but is yet to depart from Gennaro Gattuso’s Napoli side.
This could be the summer that all changes, however, as both Manchester sides could go into battle for the defender’s signature.
The Senegalese international has been hugely impressive at the San Paolo Stadium for the past six years and has been named in the Serie A team of the season in the past four campaigns.
Furthermore, he was named the league’s best defender after a number of heroic displays in the 2018/19 season.
However, at the age of 28, time isn’t exactly on his side, but if Manchester City were to make a move for him this summer, they would be guaranteed a colossal force to partner Laporte.
Raphael Varane
Perhaps an unlikely target, although City fans would no doubt love to see Varane leave the Bernabeu in favour of turning out in blue at the Etihad Stadium.
Real Madrid’s commanding centre-back has won it all at the club, collecting up 17 trophies in Madrid as well as picking up a World Cup winner’s medal with France in 2018.
The 26-year-old is regarded as one of the best defenders over the past decade, and a lot of Premier League fans would love to see the Frenchman make a move over to England.
Manchester City would be Varane’s most likely destination if that was to happen, as they would probably be the only club willing to match both his ambition and his wage bill.
However, a transfer away from Madrid looks incredibly unlikely anytime soon, so Pep Guardiola may have to turn his attentions elsewhere.
Ben White
Another option for the Manchester City board is to look a bit closer to home, and with a lack of home-grown talent at the Citizens, a move for the young and upcoming Ben White may well be of interest.
The 22-year-old has impressed at Leeds United this season, after making a loan move from parent club Brighton & Hove Albion last summer.
His ability on the ball as well his eye for a tackle has earned him plaudits all over the country, and it’s surely only a matter of time before Gareth Southgate takes a punt on him in the England squad.
However, a move to Manchester remains unlikely, as the young Englishman is yet to prove himself in the Premier League, but with only four home-grown players appearing for City in the league this season, could Guardiola take a gamble on White?
