Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will be concerned about rivals Manchester United and Arsenal
Manchester City and Pep Guardiola were able to hold off Arsenal and retain the Premier League title last season but will face a strong Gunners side this season, while local rival Manchester United will be hoping that after a strong transfer window, they can compete with the previous season’s top two. Guardiola has already taken a number of blows, but the prospect remains that he and City may be dealt a terrible last month of the summer, which could see them overtaken by their rivals. In this article, Express Sport examines Guardiola’s worst-case summer scenario.
Mbappe to Manchester United
Paris Saint-Germain has openly put Kylian Mbappe up for sale, believing that he will not renew his contract in the French capital and hoping to recuperate their investment in the star player. He has received a large sum of money from Saudi Arabia, but it remains to be seen whether he is interested in leaving Europe, even if only for a year.
The Red Devils have a vested interest in Mbappe, especially if Sheikh Jassim takes control at United, and moving him to the Premier League would blow the title battle wide open. If the PSG star does appear on the red side of Manchester, it will undoubtedly complicate Guardiola’s bid to reclaim the title.
Bernardo Silva has left the club.
City and Guardiola have rarely stood in the way of their talents leaving, but after Riyad Mahrez’s departure to Saudi Arabia and Ilkay Gundogan’s free transfer to Barcelona, it would present Guardiola with a new challenge if Bernardo Silva followed them.
The Portuguese maestro is thought to be weighing all alternatives, including a new contract and interest from both PSG and the Middle East. He has, however, been an integral component of Guardiola’s teams over the years, and another senior departure would almost surely be detrimental.
Caicedo joins Arsenal.
After beating City to the £105 million signing of Declan Rice, the Gunners may rekindle their interest in Brighton midfielder Moises Caicedo. Arsenal wanted to sign both when the January transfer market closed, and with Liverpool closing in on their alternative Romeo Lavia, the Ecuadorian might be back on the radar.
Chelsea has balked at his £100 million asking price, but if Arsenal sells the likes of Folarin Balogun, Kieran Tierney, and possibly Thomas Partey, they will be able to raise the same amount, providing Mikel Arteta with a title-winning midfield.
