Manchester City could rival Real Madrid for AC Milan defender if they miss out on number one target | OneFootball

Officials at Manchester City could yet rival Real Madrid in the summer transfer market, should they miss out on their number one option to bring into their full-back ranks.

The Premier League champions are expected to follow up a busy winter transfer window with another active summer market as the club maintains its belief that the existing group of players available to Pep Guardiola is in need of a refresh.

Having spent over €200 million on four new additions in the January market, Manchester City are likely to bring in a number of other major names upon the conclusion of the campaign, with full-back expected to be under the microscope for recruitment.

Kyle Walker brought an end to a seven and a half year stay with Manchester City during the winter window by joining AC Milan on loan until the end of the season, with the Italian club retaining an option to buy for around €5 million in the summer.

As such, there is an opening for the Premier League giants to recruit in the wide defensive ranks, although right-back is likely to be more of a priority than the left side of defence given the success seen through Josko Gvardiol and Nathan Ake.

However, according to the information of TEAMtalk, while City’s number one target at this stage is Juventus’ versatile full-back Andrea Cambiaso, AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez is also on their shortlist as a back-up option.

City are reportedly keeping close tabs on the Frenchman’s situation at the San Siro and are poised to rival La Liga giants Real Madrid if they miss out on the aforementioned Italy international defender.

It is also claimed that Pep Guardiola’s side showed interest in Bayern Munich left-back Alphonso Davies, before the Canadian star opted to extend his contract with the Bundesliga giants until the summer of 2030.

Manchester City have not signed a traditional left-back since the summer market of 2017 when Benjamin Mendy arrived off the back of a hugely impressive rise at AS Monaco, since utilising a number of names out of position and to great success.

The likes of Ukrainian international Oleksandr Zinchenko became a crucial name in the left-back role in several Premier League title-winning squads, while Guardiola also implemented Fabian Delph into the position.

For now, it remains to be seen whether Manchester City are set in their ways over strengthening at left-back, or whether they are waiting to see what AC Milan decide over the future of Kyle Walker and whether an exit could switch attentions to the right-back position.