Manchester City remain firmly in the race to sign Juventus full-back Andrea Cambiaso, with reports confirming that a double agreement was reached for the Italian star in January.
While the deal did not materialize during the winter window, City still intend to complete the transfer this summer. Pep Guardiola has identified left-back Cambiaso as a key addition to bolster his full-back options, given his ability to operate on both flanks.
According to Tuttosport, City had successfully negotiated a €60m (£50m) agreement with Juventus, alongside a four-and-a-half-year contract with Cambiaso that would have kept him at the Etihad until 2029. However, the Premier League champions opted to allocate their funds elsewhere in January, bringing in defensive prospects Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis, as well as forward Omar Marmoush and midfielder Nico Gonzalez. Despite that, City remain committed to finalizing the Cambiaso transfer once the Club World Cup concludes on July 13.
With Kyle Walker set to make his AC Milan loan move permanent this summer, and Josko Gvardiol primarily viewed as a centre-back despite excelling at left-back, Guardiola sees Cambiaso as a crucial signing. His versatility, technical ability, and tactical intelligence make him an ideal fit for City’s system, providing much-needed balance in defense. Juventus will be reluctant to part with the 24-year-old, but a £50m sale would provide them with valuable funds to strengthen other areas of their squad.
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City’s admiration for Juventus players doesn’t stop at Cambiaso. The club previously explored a deal for Douglas Luiz but refused to meet Juventus’ demands for a permanent move or loan with an obligation to buy. There were also discussions around a potential swoop for Manuel Locatelli, but Juventus remained determined to keep the Italian midfielder, leading City to prioritize Nico Gonzalez instead.
With Cambiaso’s deal already in place, City will hope to wrap up the signing quickly once the summer window opens. However, should any complications arise, the club is prepared to shift its focus to alternative targets. Reports suggest that AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez is another high-profile full-back City are considering, with Real Madrid also monitoring the Frenchman’s situation. If the Cambiaso transfer falls through, Guardiola could make a serious push for left-back Hernandez instead.
City’s summer business is already shaping up to be a busy one, with Guardiola looking to fine-tune his squad for another assault on domestic and European silverware. With Cambiaso seemingly on his way to the Etihad, the reigning champions are once again demonstrating their meticulous approach to squad planning, ensuring they remain at the very top of world football.
