Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly been given a budget of £20m to find a new left-back to replace Gael Clichy in the January transfer window.
According to the Daily Mail, City are not determined that Clichy should leave before a replacement is found but will give the 31-year-old "the opportunity to go" if they receive interest from other clubs.
The Frenchman, who has been with City for five years, is out of contract this summer and is unlikely to be offered a new deal by Guardiola.
City are thought to have scouted Benfica's Alex Grimaldo and Schalke 04's Sead Kolasinac as potential replacements but there are "reservations" over whether either could make an instant impact to the first team.
Under Guardiola, Clichy has been restricted to just eight appearances in the league so far this season.
Written by
Neil Wilkes
Neil Wilkes
