Manchester City hold transfer interest in Chelsea right-back | OneFootball

Officials at the Etihad Stadium are reportedly holding a transfer interest in Chelsea right-back Josh Acheampong, according to new information.

Manchester City’s renewed exploration of the right-back market comes in a summer where the club have already tested alternative options to strengthen Pep Guardiola’s defensive setup.

A high-profile move for Newcastle United’s Tino Livramento was at one stage prioritised, only to break down as City failed to meet St James’ Park’s valuation, in light of the club’s need for reinforcement in the position following the departure of Kyle Walker to Burnley.

At present, Pep Guardiola is expected to rely heavily on youth graduate Rico Lewis and the versatile Matheus Nunes to cover the right side of defence. Manuel Akanji, John Stones, and summer signing Abdukodir Khusanov can also provide support, but none represent a long-term specialist in the role.

This has left Manchester City’s recruitment department surveying the European market for fresh talent, particularly among emerging defenders capable of developing into elite-level operators over time.

It is within that framework that links to a new name have emerged.

According to a new report from The Guardian’s Ewan Murray and Jacob Steinberg, Manchester City and Bournemouth are both interested in signing Chelsea right-back Josh Acheampong, although Stamford Bridge bosses are expected to reject any moves for the player.

Head coach Enzo Maresca is also said to be adamant that he does not want to lose the 19-year-old, with clubs maintaining their stance of tracking the youngster’s progress, while Chelsea have rebuffed a loan enquiry from Bournemouth.

Alongside the south coast club and those at the Etihad Stadium, who have made no solid moves for the defender, the report further details that Newcastle United have also been monitoring the player’s situation.

Crystal Palace and West Ham have also scouted Acheampong and there is reportedly interest from clubs in Europe.

Looking ahead, Manchester City may yet continue to assess Josh Acheampong’s development without making an immediate move. With Chelsea’s resistance to a sale and Enzo Maresca intent on retaining his young defender, Etihad Stadium officials could instead position themselves to revisit the situation in 2026.

Equally, the Manchester club may opt to monitor other right-back options more closely as the season unfolds, should Rico Lewis or Matheus Nunes struggle to adapt to the role on a full-time basis.

City’s transfer strategy in this area has already demonstrated patience – with their stance on Tino Livramento a clear example – and a long-term view is expected to underpin any approach for Josh Acheampong or others.

For now, Pep Guardiola and his staff are preparing to balance internal resources, but speculation around the right-back position is unlikely to disappear until a permanent replacement for Kyle Walker is secured.