Manchester City make final decision on first-choice right-back for 2024/25 season amid Jeremie Frimpong transfer interest | OneFootball

Officials at Manchester City have made their decision on whether to pursue a new first-choice right-back for the upcoming 2024/25 season, according to a report.

Following years of stability in the role since signing Kyle Walker from Tottenham Hotspur in the summer transfer window of 2017, Manchester City have arguably seen their most change at right-back over the last 18 months both in a tactical and personnel sense.

The 2023 January market saw Pep Guardiola exclude Joao Cancelo from his first-team squad, understood to be due to attitude concerns, forcing the Portugal international to seek other options away from the club and taking on a six-month loan at Bayern Munich.

After the German club opted against signing the now 30-year-old on a permanent basis via a €70 million option-to-buy, Cancelo then took on a second loan spell by joining FC Barcelona on a 12-month deal.

Kyle Walker also entertained an exit from Manchester City but was ultimately swayed to stay by manager Pep Guardiola, subsequently being voted as the new club captain despite intense interest from Bayern Munich over the course of the summer market in 2023.

And now, according to the information of GIVEMESPORT this week, City have decided to stick with the England international for the forthcoming season, as the 34-year-old enters into his final season of current contract at the Etihad Stadium.

As a direct consequence of the stance taken by Manchester City officials, the report states that the club have subsequently now opted not to pursue a move for Bayer Leverkusen and Netherlands rising star Jeremie Frimpong this summer.

The 23-year-old former Manchester City academy graduate had a €40 million release clause in his Bundesliga contract earlier this summer, but that opportunity has now expired, and the player will not be re-joining his former side in England.

Given Kyle Walker only has one-year remaining on his Manchester City contract, it remains to be seen what approach the club takes with age certainly not on Kyle Walker’s side and perhaps a need for a refresh.

However, should Manchester City permit Walker to see out his final year of contract at the Etihad Stadium, there remains the possibility that the right-back remains in English football, having long held an ambition to return to his boyhood club Sheffield United.

The Blades are currently operating in the Championship ahead of the upcoming season, having succumbed to relegation from the Premier League at the first time of asking during the last campaign.

A change of guard at right-back will also leave Manchester City with a dilemma as to concretely put their trust in Rico Lewis as their next solution, amid a desire from the teenager to see a future in central midfield roles moving forward.