Manchester City prefer to bring through youth players and target young talent in the transfer market that’s according to Pep Guardiola. Speaking before City’s clash with Chelsea the City boss went into detail on the treble winner’s approach to developing and signing players.
Pep told the media: “Sometimes we make a signing like Mateo (Kovacic) but always we try to bring young players to start his career and name in world football here and it’s really important. Financially and sporting (reasons). We would love to still have the legends we had here but time passes for everyone, especially for athletes. Josko, Jeremy, Oscar Bobb is with us now, Rico, these players are really important.”
The emphasis on youth is an important part of Manchester City’s transfer and squad-building strategy. Needs will dictate what the European champions target in the market. Occasionally signings like Mateo Kovacic are required to bring in experience. Kovacic was brought in to replace Ilkay Gundogan who departed the club in the summer.
One potential Manchester City target has had his price named by his club. Teamtalk reports that Bayer Leverkusen have set an asking price of £87.2 million for Florian Wirtz. The German international is one of the Bundesliga side’s key players. Any potential move from Manchester City or any other club will require a sizable fee to sign the German international.
Florian Wirtz does fit the profile of the player type Manchester City prefers to target. He appears to be the ideal target in regards to his age, talent and potential to add to the Manchester City squad.
While needs will dictate the club’s approach to transfers, Manchester City have had immense success buying and developing younger players. It is a proven formula for sustaining the club’s success.
