Man City deep in talks with centre-back Guardiola wants to partner Laporte

Malang Sarr TEAMtalk

Manchester City are in negotiations with Malang Sarr’s agent over a move for the central defender, claims a report.

The 21-year-old Nice defender is out of contract this month and is a free agent.

According to TodoFichajes, City are deep in talks with Sarr’s agent over a summer switch for the France Under-21 star.

The report claims numerous teams have enquired about Nizza-born defender, who can also play at left-back. City however, are at the head of the queue for Sarr and hope to wrap up a deal before the end of the delayed season.

Sarr is understood to be a signing requested by Pep Guardiola, as he looks to add some strength to his faulty back four.

Speaking recently in an interview with Téléfoot, Sarr confirmed that he would be leaving Nice: “For the moment, I have taken the decision not to extend my contract with OGC Nice.

“We will see how the season finishes and from then I will take my decision. I would like to finish the season with OGC Nice and then see what is going to happen.”

“I don’t have any particular preference, but there are other leagues in Europe that are very attractive – the German league for example. A league that is growing and that really gives young players a chance.

“There is nice football, it is physical, there is impact. That’s something I really like and I watch those matches a lot. I have a lot of team-mates in the French youth teams who play there and have exploded over there.

 

 

 

“So that gives me a desire to experience that. Spain also have a league that I like. France has very good teams too. For the moment I have not necessarily taken the decision.

“But I am more taken to make decisions on the sporting project and playing time. If that comes in France, then it will be in France. There is no problem with that.”

GetFrenchFootballNews claimed Sarr had “serious interest from Gladbach last season”.

Guardiola is believed to be looking for a reliable partner for Aymeric Laporte with neither John Stones or Nicolas Otamendi managing to convince the City boss this season.

Both players will be out of contract in 2022 with Stones believed to be a target for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, and a long-term replacement is certainly on the agenda for Guardiola.

READ MORE: Guardiola prepared to ruin Chelsea’s momentum in £85m target hunt