Have Manchester City’s plans to strengthen at right-back been revealed? | OneFootball

Heading into next summer there does appear to be several question marks surrounding Manchester City’s squad. While that prospect is still months away, Manchester City are a club that does prepare their transfer moves well ahead of time.

Looking ahead several areas of City’s squad do appear to need to be either rebuilt or could do with the addition of younger players. Manchester City’s midfield is one. City’s defence is another. The right-back position itself does look like an area where the world champions could do with a younger player.

With Kyle Walker getting on in years and Rico Lewis appearing destined to play as a midfielder it does appear that Manchester City could sign another right-back either in January or more than likely next summer. That particular move does appear to be more of a priority for City next summer. A new report has once again linked the world champions with a move for Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong. Another report has linked Manchester City with a move for young Espanyol right-back Omar El Hilali. It does appear that City’s plans to sign a new right-back may have been revealed.

Manchester City do appear to be targeting young right-backs to regenerate their stocks.

Firstly, Pete O’Rourke has reported for Football Insider that Manchester City have an interest in bringing Jeremie Frimpong back to the club. Frimpong was a part of City’s academy before leaving the club in 2019. He has since established himself as one of the best-attacking wing-backs in the game with Bayer Leverkusen. Furthermore, O’Rourke adds that Manchester City are looking for ‘long-term right back’ options. A player like Frimpong would fit that bill as per O’Rourke’s report.

Secondly, Graeme Bailey has reported for TBR Football that Manchester City have an interest in young Espanyol right-back Omar El Hilali. Bailey reports that Aston Villa and Brighton also have their eye on El Hilali. It is further reported by Bailey that El Hilali is a versatile defender who can play either at right-back or in the centre of defence. That versatility and his obvious talent makes him a player that could potentially fit into Manchester City’s squad.

Summary

It is clear based on the two reports that Manchester City are planning to sign a right-back in the near future. Based on Kyle Walker’s form this season and age that move does appear to be a matter of when it happens, rather than if. For me, it is more likely to occur next summer. Unless something drastic happens over the next two months I can’t see Manchester City moving for a right-back in January.

Jeremie Frimpong is the more established player out of the two right-backs linked to Manchester City. Omar El Hilali has impressed this season for Espanyol. But he does appear to be a player for the future rather than an established player like Frimpong.

How Manchester City look to strengthen at right-back is a story to watch for. It does appear to be a move that City will make in time. It’s just a matter of when they will make the move and who they will target that is yet to be revealed.