Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was keen to bring Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso to the Etihad in January, the Italian's agent has revealed.
The reigning Premier League champions are currently adjusting to life without the long-serving Kyle Walker, who joined Juve's Serie A rivals AC Milan on loan with an option to buy last month.
Since bidding farewell to the England international, Guardiola has utilised midfielder Matheus Nunes in a makeshift right-back role, although he also has the up-and-coming Rico Lewis at his disposal.
As Walker is unlikely to reignite his City career once the 2024-25 season is over, Man City apparently set their sights on Cambiaso as an ideal successor and were prepared to offer as much as £54.7m for the full-back.
However, Juventus slapped an €80m (£66.7m) price tag on the head of the 24-year-old, who is under contract with the Bianconeri until 2029 and ultimately remained in Turin for the second half of the season.
Cambiaso agent: 'It is true that Guardiola wanted him'
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Whether City go back in for Cambiaso at the end of the season remains to be seen, but speaking to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli - via Gazzetta - his agent Giovanni Bia confirmed that Guardiola had earmarked him as a potential signing.
"Juventus will explain what happened, but I tell you that everything that came out in the papers in relation to the deal is true. It's true that Guardiola wanted him," Cambiaso's representative said.
Cambiaso made the switch to Juventus from Genoa for an £11.1m fee in 2022, since when the 24-year-old has contributed five goals and eight assists from 67 matches for the Old Lady in all competitions.
The Italy international has functioned as a left-back, right-back, right midfielder and right winger for Thiago Motta's side during the 2024-25 season, suggesting that he could also provide cover for Josko Gvardiol at the Etihad.
Despite Cambiaso's efforts, Juve are outside the Champions League positions in fifth place in the Serie A table, having drawn a league-high 13 matches under Motta in the current season.
Could City target any other defenders this summer?
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Even though Guardiola's Cambiaso wish went unfulfilled in January, the winter window was far from quiet for Man City, who reinforced their defensive ranks with the acquisitions of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis.
However, should the Premier League champions try and fail again for Cambiaso when the summer window rolls around, a separate report claims that Guardiola's side intend to pursue AC Milan's Theo Hernandez.
The Frenchman's contract talks with the Rossoneri have apparently hit an impasse, and as his current deal expires in 2026, Milan may be resigned to selling him this summer to avoid losing him for nothing in 2026.
Man City will apparently have to do battle with Hernandez's former club Real Madrid to strike a deal for the 27-year-old, though, as he is believed to be 'fascinated' by the idea of returning to the Bernabeu.
Ben Knapton
