Manchester City are reportedly in talks to sign R.S.C. Anderlecht star Sergio Gomez, with the 21-year-old also being linked with Arsenal and Leeds United this summer after a breakout season in Belgium.
According to Het Nieuwsblad, the Premier League champions have begun talks with the Jupiler Pro League side to sign Gomez, who last campaign was named Anderlecht’s Player of the Season after bagging an incredible seven goals and 15 assists in all competitions from the left-back position.
A former FC Barcelona La Masia graduate and Borussia Dortmund project, Gomez is regarded by many as one of the most exciting fullbacks in Europe, with Arsenal and Leeds both being linked with the Spanish youth international this summer, though City now appears to be in the driving seat to sign the defender.
City have been looking to sign a left-back ever since the departure of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal, with Brighton & Hove Albion defender Marc Cucurella viewed as Pep Guardiola’s number one target to replace the Ukrainian international, however, the Manchester side are no longer in the race for the 24-year-old.
Moreover, according to recent reports, Chelsea are now favourites to sign Cucurella, with the left-back now expected to sign for the west London side in a £50m deal, leaving City to look for an alternative, which seemingly has been identified as Anderlecht’s exciting prospect Gomez.
Indeed, the Spaniard is arguably a more sensible option to replace Zinchenko at City than Cucurella given the defender’s age and dramatically lower price tag, though the fee the left-back could leave for Anderlecht for is yet to be disclosed in initial reports.
City are pulling a blinder signing Gomez after Cucurella collapse
Cucurella would have been a solid signing for City and a great addition to the club’s outrageous squad depth, but Gomez could arguably be a more intelligent addition for the Manchester giants given the Spaniard’s age and versatility to play in numerous positions.
Whilst Gomez is naturally a left-back, the Anderlecht star has played out on the right, in the attack and also centrally in the midfield, and for City, this incredible ability to be adaptive to many positions will make the 21-year-old a hit at the Etihad Stadium should Guardiola secure a deal for the youngster.
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