Man City identify ideal Cancelo replacement perfect for Guardiola system in move that could make Man Utd transfer unnecessary

Man City scouts have given positive feedback about an international-level left-back who could be the answer to what they need, according to a report.

During the January transfer window, City allowed Joao Cancelo to leave on loan for Bayern Munich. Until then, the Portugal international had been Pep Guardiola’s main starter in the left-back role.

But something seemed to cause a rift between them, and Cancelo was ruthlessly shown the door. He may well have played his last game for the club.

City did not sign a replacement for Cancelo while the window was still open. Therefore, they are lacking a natural left-back whom Guardiola can regularly rely on.

They did sign Sergio Gomez from Anderlecht in the summer, but he is more of an option for the long term. Indeed, his involvement with the first team has been minimal so far.

Instead, City are having to use other players out of position to cover at left-back. But in the summer, they could look to sign a more natural option there.

With that in mind, a report from 90min has revealed how they are interested in Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco.

Dimarco came through Inter’s academy and after a few spells elsewhere, ended up back in their first-team squad ahead of the start of last season.

He has since established himself at San Siro and has become an eight-cap Italy international.

Now, Dimarco has supposedly been identified as someone who could fit in well at City. The report notes how he is good at crossing and covering centrally, which indicates his qualities align with what Guardiola needs from his full-backs.

Although under contract until with Inter until 2026, Dimarco could be sacrificed by his current employers, who need to raise funds this year.

Dimarco transfer could prevent rival Man Utd move

Interestingly, the report from 90min reminds that another player they could cash in on is goalkeeper Andre Onana. He has been linked with City’s rivals Man Utd, as well as Chelsea and Tottenham.

It is likely that Inter will only need to sacrifice one of the pair if the price is right, though. So in theory, offloading Dimarco to City could negate the need for them to do business with Man Utd when it comes to Onana.

That said, Inter’s preference is to keep Dimarco at this stage. It remains to be seen what kind of offer could tempt them into a sale.

This isn’t the first time Dimarco has been linked with a Premier League club. Previously, there have been links with the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.

The 25-year-old has now managed to make 77 appearances for Inter, including 29 this season. But there remains a risk that his time there could be coming towards a conclusion.

Despite never playing in the Premier League before, Dimarco has been willing to test himself earlier in his career. For example, he spent time in Switzerland with Sion.

Hence, England would be the third different country he has represented a club in if he was to make the move to City.

The reigning Premier League champions will be keeping their options open, no doubt, as they look to fill a problem position in their squad.

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