Summer shopping list still has a gap
Manchester City entered this transfer window wanting another winger. Two months in, that item on the to-do list remains unchecked. No obvious first-choice target has emerged for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders, despite plenty of names being linked.
The situation is complicated by Savinho. City will not let him go to Tottenham unless they first bring a replacement through the door.
Three names, three different problems
So far this summer, Ibrahim Mbaye of PSG, Everton's Iliman Ndiaye and Chelsea's Pedro Neto have all been named as potential targets. Each comes with complications.
According to a report from journalist Romain Molina, relayed by Get Football Football News France, there are concerns around Mbaye. His inner circle believes he should have played more often for PSG and rates him as a better talent than Lamine Yamal and Ousmane Dembélé. But the same report says Mbaye had issues turning up to training on time and fluctuating weight problems, which saw him fall down the pecking order at the European Champions. PSG were also unhappy with leaks from his camp, believed to originate from the player's father.
Despite all that, City hold an interest in signing the PSG winger this summer.
Pedro Neto is another name on the list. Mark Brus reported via his exclusive Daily Briefing column that City have an interest in the Chelsea winger. The price tag is steep: Chelsea want €80 million to sell.
Iliman Ndiaye was on City's radar earlier in the window, according to Alan Nixon. But Fabrizio Romano reports that Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have begun talks to sign the Everton man. That could remove one option before City get serious.
None of these paths look straightforward right now. But with Savinho's future unresolved and the season opener against Inter Milan on 1st August approaching, something has to give.