Manchester City verbally agree personal terms with Juventus right-back | OneFootball

Etihad Stadium officials are preparing themselves for a potential domino effect at right-back this summer, lining up another potential option to explore in the market.

The latest development comes as Hugo Viana and Txiki Begiristain continue to plot a major shake-up of Pep Guardiola’s squad options for next season off the back of a hugely challenging and ongoing campaign.

Among the names to be exiting the Etihad Stadium this summer is Kevin De Bruyne, after Manchester City opted not to renew the Belgian’s contract beyond the end of June, allowing arguably their greatest-ever play to leave on a free transfer.

There is also expected to be a permanent departure of Kyle Walker from Manchester City, although it remains to be seen whether that move will be to his current loan team, AC Milan – who are seemingly stalling over triggering their €5 million buy-option on the veteran.

And it is the subject of replacing the England international that is taking centre stage for one outlet at present, as Manchester City scour the global market for a new right-back, with that search taking them to Serie A.

According to the information of Footmercato’s Santi Aouna, Manchester City have ‘verbally agreed personal terms’ with Juventus right-back Nicolò Savona, with the 22-year-old ‘keen’ to make the move to the Etihad Stadium.

However, for the time being, it is stressed that Flamengo’s Wesley is the preferred choice of those at City, with the player having already ‘given his approval’ to a move while negotiations with the Brazilian club are incomplete.

The second choice of Manchester City is then said to be Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento, although the main point of contention regards the transfer fee demanded by the Premier League side.

As such, a potential domino effect concerning the two players could eventually lead Manchester City in the direction of Savona in Serie A, and the club are preparing themselves for that possibility this summer.

Pep Guardiola’s existing options at right-back are largely made up of Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes, despite an open acceptance within the first-team set-up that a number of other names can operate in the role if required.

A change of personnel during the second-half of the recent 0-0 draw away to Southampton subsequently saw veteran midfielder Bernardo Silva placed into the position as City went in search of a winning goal that would not come.

It remains to be seen what the future would hold for Nunes and Lewis beyond this summer should Manchester City secure the services of a new right-back, with the latter already earmarked by Pep Guardiola as a solution for the attacking midfield roles longer-term.