Manchester City have reportedly placed Inter Milan defender Federico Dimarco on a shortlist of potential transfer targets.
With a number of first-team players having departed the Etihad Stadium last summer, City have been undergoing somewhat of a transitional period.
That is expected to continue ahead of 2023-24 with more high-profile exits a possibility, and Pep Guardiola will naturally be keen to secure quality replacements.
However, even before the next transfer window, City are already having to consider their options at left-back, particularly now that Joao Cancelo has been allowed to link up with Bayern Munich on loan.
Although the possibility remains that the Portugal international could return to Guardiola's squad for next season, it is far from a certainty.
© Reuters
As it stands, Nathan Ake, Rico Lewis and Sergio Gomez are regarded as City's traditional contenders for the left-hand side of defence, but Bernardo Silva has also deputised more recently.
Nevertheless, Guardiola may not be content with that current crop with only Ake viewed as a definite option for the next campaign, potentially leading to City to enter the market for more competition.
According to transfer expert Graeme Bailey, via TEAMtalk, City are taking an interest in the performances of Dimarco.
Aside from playing 2017-18 with Swiss side Sion, the 25-year-old has spent his entire career in Italy having come through the youth ranks at Inter.
© Reuters
Dimarco was allowed to gain experience at multiple different clubs before making the return to San Siro, where he is now regarded as a key man at left wing-back.
In total, Dimarco has six goals and 10 assists from his 78 appearances in all competitions, while he has also earned eight caps for Italy.
Although the versatile wide player has a contract with Inter until 2026, his club may choose to consider offers if it boosts their financial situation, with the added bonus of any sale being regarded as pure profit with FFP.
As recently as November, it was suggested that Inter had emerged as admirers of Fulham defender Antonee Robinson, who would likely cost less than the money which could be generated from the departure of Dimarco.
Darren Plant
