Manchester City are eyeing a £30 million-plus move for a former Real Madrid defender this summer, as Pep Guardiola looks to shore up his side’s shaky backline, according to a new report.
City eyeing Champions League qualification
After a poor start to the campaign, City have shown signs of resurgence in recent months. While they’re still not quite at the level that brought them sustained domestic dominance in recent years, Pep Guardiola’s side are now firmly back in the hunt for Champions League qualification — a prospect that seemed highly unlikely just a few months ago.
Speaking to the club’s official website, midfielder Ilkay Gundogan recently addressed the importance of securing a top-four finish, calling it a “responsibility” to ensure City remain among Europe’s elite despite an underwhelming season.
“Our team is made and built to be more than this — it’s built to be a contender for the title every single year.For various reasons, we haven’t been at our best for a long period of the season. We are where we are right now, and we need to accept the situation.
“There are minimum targets that have to be achieved at this club, and that’s definitely qualifying for the Champions League next season. We have to do it – it’s our responsibility.”
City eyeing move for Lazio defender Mario Gila
One of Manchester City’s most pressing issues this season has been their defensive frailty. In the Premier League, Guardiola’s side have already conceded more goals than in any previous campaign under the Spaniard — and the most since the 2009/10 season, when Mark Hughes and Roberto Mancini led the team to a fifth-place finish.
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Guardiola attempted to bolster his defensive options in January, bringing in centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov from RC Lens and highly rated teenager Vitor Reis from Palmeiras. However, Khusanov has struggled to impress since his arrival, and reports suggest he could already be sent out on loan this summer. As for Reis, the 19-year-old is seen more as a long-term prospect rather than an immediate solution to City’s defensive issues.
According to CaughtOffside, City are now eyeing Lazio centre-back Mario Gila as a key target for the upcoming transfer window. Pep is reportedly a fan of the 24-year-old’s “composure, passing ability and understanding of defence”.
The report adds that Lazio are open to selling the former Real Madrid defender for a fee in the region of £34–39 million. However, City will face stiff competition for his signature, with Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid themselves all monitoring the situation closely.
Gila has been one of Lazio’s key players this season, starting 26 of the club’s 28 Serie A games, winning an impressive 33 tackles and making 118 recoveries.