Pep Guardiola confirmed Manchester City are looking at signing a left back next summer amid concerns over Benjamin Mendy’s long-term fitness.
Sportsmail understands Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell is Guardiola’s top target should they decide to make a splash and land competition for Mendy.
Mendy started training with the team this week after another knee injury but will not be ready for the weekend game against Huddersfield.
‘We survived well last season, this season too,’ Guardiola said. ‘But we are thinking about that (signings) yeah.
‘I cannot assure you as I’m delighted with the players I have but we are going to look at that option. Mendy trains incredibly well, sometimes injuries happen.’
Guardiola has had to make do with Fabian Delph, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Danilo for the majority of the last 18 months.
He has also been left short in the midfield department this term and wants to secure an understudy for Fernandinho at the end of the season.
Frenkie De Jong at Ajax has been their No 1 target, while Lyon pair Houssem Aouar and Tanguy Ndombele have also interested Guardiola. The City boss is also an admirer of Ruben Neves at Wolves but last week warned they refused to spend silly money on him.
‘There are three or four we are looking at, searching for that position,’ Guardiola added.
‘I think we need a guy with physicality, quick in the head and the reading of spaces to attack.
‘It’s not easy to find one player who can do everything. Then there is the club and agent – we will see.’