Is Hugo Viana set to raid Sporting for defensive reinforcements for Manchester City? | OneFootball

Hugo Viana will take over as Manchester City’s director of football next summer. Viana will arrive at the club from Sporting Lisbon when Txiki Begiristain steps aside at the end of this season. Viana will be tasked with maintaining City’s position at the top of football. With that in mind could he raid his former club for defensive reinforcements to bolster City’s defence? A new report indicates that it could potentially be on the cards next summer.

Spanish publication Defensa Central reports that Viana wants to sign Sporting defenders Ousmane Diomende and Goncalo Inacio. Furthermore, Defensa Central adds that Viana is pushing Manchester City to move for the pair. Lastly, Defensa Central adds that Real Madrid is also monitoring the pair.

Although Ousmane Diomende and Goncalo Inacio are highly rated are defensive reinforcements needed at Manchester City?

Ousmane Diomende and Goncalo Inacio have risen to prominence with Sporting Lisbon in recent seasons. The pair are two of the most highly regarded defenders playing outside of Europe’s big clubs. Their defensive pairing has been a key part of Sporting’s recent success. In the case of Diomende, he was signed by Viana from FC Midtjylland in January 2023. He has become one of Viana’s best signings for the Portuguese giants. It would make sense if Viana did target players he knows to strengthen City’s defence. But the question is do the world champions need defensive reinforcements?

Currently, Manchester City have John Stones, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake and Ruben Dias as centre-backs. Josko Gvardiol can also play the role. Although he is preferred at left-back currently by Pep Guardiola. All four of City’s centre-backs are elite defenders. But in the case of Nathan Ake and John Stones, there are question marks over their durability. They are also getting on in age, so there is an argument to be made that City does need to reinforce their defence. Perhaps that could be in the cards next summer.

But it does look like the world champions do have a more pressing need next summer. Regenerating their midfield does look to be a bigger priority when you look at City’s squad. But there is room to do both depending on just how bif the task of rebuilding City’s midfield is for Hugo Viana.

Manchester City’s reported interest in Ousmane Diomende and Goncalo Inacio is a story to watch for going forward. With Hugo Viana’s ties to Sporting the possibility does exist that City could move for the pair.