Update issued on Manchester City transfer interest in Juventus and Italy’s Andrea Cambiaso | OneFootball

Following widespread reports concerning interest in Andrea Cambiaso from Manchester City in January, fresh updates on that story have now emerged.

The Italian defender was first linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium in the January market, as Manchester City went on a rampage of successful negotiations with clubs across the globe to strengthen their squad roster.

An intensified market strategy across the space of just four weeks came as a direct reaction to worrying performances from a squad lacking in energy and personnel amid injury and fitness problems throughout the campaign.

As part of that recruitment drive, Manchester City officials finalised deals for Nico Gonzalez, Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, and Vitor Reis. However, a fifth arrival failed to come to fruition despite concrete interest in a full-back.

That concerned Andrea Cambiaso, who was confirmed by many reliable sources to be a target for Manchester City, who insisted in briefings to the wider media that the player was more a name to be considered in the summer market.

And now, according to the information of market insider Fabrizio Romano, it is further explained that Cambiaso was Manchester City’s ‘top target’ for a new full-back in the January transfer window, but was ultimately considered too expensive.

However, it is also detailed that Juventus could open the door to an exit for the player ahead of the summer market, and as such the Italy international remains a ‘strong and realistic’ candidate on City’s list for the full-back position.

Interestingly, Romano also reveals that the 25-year-old was open to a move in January while simultaneously being committed to Juventus, never asking to be sold, and leaving matters in the hands of his club – a stance that is not expected to change heading into the summer.

From the side of Manchester City, amid similar links to Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie, Etihad Stadium bosses are said to be ‘likely’ to invest an ‘important’ amount in a new full-back this summer.

It remains to be seen just how many outgoings there could be from Manchester City’s defence in the summer months too, aside from the expected departure of Kyle Walker – whether that be to AC Milan, or a team elsewhere in the game for a cut-price agreement.

There are some question marks over the future of John Stones and Manuel Akanji in particular, with the former a greater doubt given his longer-standing injury record and ability to sustain a consistent period of time performing to the highest intensity under Pep Guardiola.