Manchester City Transfers: 3 Alternatives to Injury Prone Vincent Kompany

Vincent Kompany’s status at Manchester City cannot be underestimated. He’s valued highly in the dressing room and at boardroom level—a leader on the field and a man likely earmarked for a job at the club beyond his playing days. He’s been one of the club’s greatest captains.

He impressed with his performances immediately after signing for the club from Hamburg back in 2008 for £6 million. It was immediately clear he represented one of the best value-for-money signings the club had made in a long time.

He started in midfield under Mark Hughes, but Roberto Mancini saw sense upon taking the reins in 2009 and began playing him at centre-half regularly. It wasn’t long before people were talking about him as being the best at the position in the Premier League.

Pace, strength, leadership and organisation—he brings plenty of qualities to the side. City have tried desperately to find him a world-class partner, spending around £140 million on centre-backs since he joined the club, per Transfer League, but they are still no closer to matching his quality.

This summer, the search looks set to intensify. There’s likely to have been an acceptance among the City leadership that he can no longer be relied upon to play regularly. They’ll want him to stay, but they need to have a pool of centre-backs in place that can cope if he’s absent. That’s certainly not the case at present.

Martin Demichelis' contract expires in June, and he's likely to return to Argentina. The club will also surely look to cut its losses on the underperforming Eliaquim Mangala. Expect defensive recruits.

Here are three candidates Pep Guardiola, the incoming manager, may consider to bolster his options.

1. Aymeric Laporte

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Aymeric Laporte, the 21-year-old Atheltic Bilbao centre-back, could well end up being Guardiola's top target. He's been impressing in La Liga with his assuredness and ability to read the game.

With the average age of City's squad (29, per Transfermarkt) in need of reducing, their transfer policy this summer is likely to revolve around top young talent. Laporte fits the bill.

He needs to bulk up, but in terms of his understanding of how to defend, he's showing real signs of quality.

However, on Thursday, he suffered a nasty-looking injury while playing for the France under-21 side, according to Simon Bajkowski of the Manchester Evening News.

City will likely monitor his situation closely.

2. John Stones

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Another young centre-half making a big impression is Everton's John Stones.

He is a superb ball-playing defender. Few players emerge who look as comfortable as Stones does in possession, with his confidence in bringing the ball out of defence something pretty special.

The 21-year-old needs to work on his concentration, however. Too often during his short career, Everton have conceded goals for which he has been culpable.

But given defenders mature later than other players, he's well ahead of schedule. This is a unique talent. Under the right coaching team, he could go on to be one of the best.

City would have to pay big money, though. With new investment and the impending Premier League TV deal providing additional funds, Everton are unlikely to need money this summer. To prize Stones away from the Toffees, it's going to take an astronomical offer.

3. Jason Denayer

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There is, of course, one player already on City's books who could come into the first-team reckoning and help strengthen their options.

Jason Denayer, 20, who has spent the last two seasons on loan—firstly at Celtic and at Galatasaray this term—is highly regarded. It's likely he will be brought back and asked to fight for a place in the side.

Quick, strong and powerful—Denayer isn't yet the finished article, but there are plenty of signs he could be a good option for City.