Pep Guardiola names 'obvious' position Man City must strengthen this summer

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted that the club need to buy at least one new full-back ahead of next season.

City spent more than £170m in January to start off a necessary squad rebuild, adding a forward, two centre-backs and a midfielder to their ranks.

But while Kevin De Bruyne's impending departure is at least partially offset by the winter arrival of Nico Gonzalez and a surprise contract extension for Ilkay Gundogan, City never moved to replace Kyle Walker when he joined AC Milan on loan – the veteran right-back is not expected to return.

Injuries have highlighted the lack of depth on either side of the defence, with Matheus Nunes operating as a makeshift right-back and Nico O'Reilly on the left.

But while home-grown teenager O'Reilly has thrived, changing the recent FA Cup tie against Bournemouth from the bench and starting all three Premier League games since, Guardiola has admitted it isn't a long-term solution to the problem.

"We will need a new full-back in the summer. Obviously," the City boss explained.

"Nico O'Reilly is helping, but he's not a left-back."

Guardiola had already previously dismissed the idea of O'Reilly being permanently transitioned into defence. "We cannot forget he is a No 10. But he has pace, he is so intelligent, has quality with the ball in the final third, he has vision," the coach said after the Bournemouth tie.

Where City might turn to for a new full-back remains to be seen. One player linked in recent weeks, and who Guardiola and co. had a close look at over the weekend, is Daniel Munoz. But the Colombian, barely known until the last 18 months, has agreed a new contract with Crystal Palace.

City have also been heavily linked with versatile Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso, yet recent developments in Turin could see the Serie A giants retain the Italy international.

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