Manchester City are expected to delve into the summer transfer market as they endeavour to continue competing for silverware on all fronts in 2023-24 and beyond.
The Citizens are said to be targeting three-big money signings this summer and plan to continue their transfer activity as normal, despite being charged by the Premier League with breaking more than 100 financial rules.
A new centre-back, midfielder and winger are believed to be on Pep Guardiola's shopping list, and the rumour mill continues to link the reigning Premier League champions with a host of top talents across the globe.
With less than four months until the summer window opens, Sports Mole takes a look at five players who Man City could target ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)
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Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham is set to become one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe this summer, with Man City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid all keen to win the race for his signature.
The 19-year-old England international is allegedly set to hold a meeting with Dortmund chiefs during the international break to discuss his future at the club, with the Bundesliga outfit not giving up hope of persuading the midfielder to extend his contract beyond June 2025.
However, it is thought that Bellingham would be open to seeking pastures new in the summer after spending three successful years developing into one of Europe's brightest young talents in Germany, recording 20 goals and 24 assists in 124 games across all competitions.
Interested clubs would have to pay a pretty penny to lure the teenager away from Westfalenstadion, though, as Dortmund value their prized asset at €150m (£133.1m).
Man City could step up their pursuit of Bellingham if club captain Ilkay Gundogan leaves the club, with his current contract due to expire at the end of the season.
Declan Rice (West Ham United)
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Fellow England international Declan Rice is another in-demand midfielder who has been linked with a big-money move to a top Premier League club amid interest from Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man United.
Arsenal are said to be leading the race at present for the West Ham United skipper, who has developed into a leader and star player during his nine-year spell with the Hammers, making 229 appearances in all tournaments.
With less than 16 months remaining on his contract, the 24-year-old is 'almost certain' to leave the London Stadium this summer as he seeks to make the next step in his career and fulfil his dream of playing in the Champions League.
Like Bellingham, Rice is valued in excess of £100m and would cost significantly more than other Man City midfield targets such as Brighton & Hove Albion's Alexis Mac Allister or Southampton's Romeo Lavia – the Citizens allegedly possess a £40m buy-back option for the latter after selling the academy graduate last summer.
Although a move for both Rice and Bellingham seems unlikely, City may be forced to target more than one midfielder this summer if Gundogan is joined out of the exit door by either Bernardo Silva or Kalvin Phillips, whose long-term futures at the Etihad have been called into question.
Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig)
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Widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in Europe, RB Leipzig's Josko Gvardiol has been strongly linked with a switch to Man City, with Guardiola said to be an admirer of the Croatia international.
The 21-year-old has elevated his game to new heights since moving to Leipzig from Dinamo Zagreb in 2021, making 78 appearances in all competitions, while he is also a regular on the international stage and played a key role in Croatia's run to finish third at the 2022 World Cup.
Gvardiol is under contract at the Red Bull Arena until June 2027, but the defender has put Premier League quartet Man City, Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool on alert after expressing his desire to play in the English top flight.
A recent report claims that the Citizens are open to selling fellow left-footed defender Aymeric Laporte to fund a move for Gvardiol, who allegedly has a £97m release clause in his contract that becomes active in 2024.
Gvardiol played twice against Man City in the Champions League last 16 earlier this month, scoring the equaliser in a 1-1 first-leg draw before featuring in the 7-0 second-leg drubbing at the Etihad.
Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton & Hove Albion)
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With City allegedly in the market for a new winger, Brighton & Hove Albion star Kaoru Mitoma has recently emerged as a potential target having enjoyed a stellar debut campaign at the Amex Stadium.
The 25-year-old has gone from strength to strength with the European-chasing Seagulls this term, contributing with nine goals and six assists in 27 appearances, and has been labelled as a "crucial" member of the first-team squad by head coach Roberto De Zerbi.
Man City are said to be keeping tabs on Mitoma's progress ahead of the summer transfer window, but they could face competition from Arsenal, Man United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich for his signature.
Mitoma, who did a thesis on the art of dribbling at the University of Tsukuba in his late teens, has consistently given defenders nightmares with his agile dribbling abilities and electric pace, and his attributes could add something extra to Guardiola's side going forward.
Whether City can lure the Japan international away from the South Coast remains to be seen, though, as Brighton are preparing to make him the club's highest-paid player with a bumper new contract – Mitoma's current deal expires in June 2025.
Ben Chilwell (Chelsea)
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With the future of Joao Cancelo – currently on loan at Bayern Munich – believed to be uncertain, Man City could explore the possibility of recruiting a new left-back this summer, with Chelsea's Ben Chilwell said to be on their radar.
The Citizens have been long-term admirers of the 26-year-old and were in the hunt for his signature before Chelsea swooped in to sign the England international for around £50m from Leicester City in 2020.
Chilwell has struggled with injuries during his time at Stamford Bridge, but has been a standout performer on numerous occasions when fit for the West Londoners, recording nine goals and 12 assists in 77 appearances across all competitions.
It remains to be seen whether Chelsea would be prepared to offload Chilwell in the summer, but permanent departures are expected as the Blues look to balance their books following a significant outlay in the previous two transfer windows.
Man City trio Nathan Ake, Rico Lewis and Sergio Gomez have all operated at left-back since Cancelo's winter-window exit, with Gomez still waiting for his first Premier League start, but the addition of a natural left-back – one entering the prime years of his career – is thought to be high on Guardiola's agenda.
