Manchester City Transfer News: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and David Alaba Rumours

Manchester City are reportedly ready to reignite their interest in Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with Sergio Aguero’s future at the club said to be in doubt.

That’s according to Neil Fissler of the Sunday Express, who has stated that manager Pep Guardiola is a big fan of Aubameyang, with the striker said to be valued at around £58 million by his club.

It’s added the Gabon international held negotiations with City over a possible transfer last summer, and while a move didn’t materialise, there have been recent talks between the two parties.

Aguero’s position at the Etihad Stadium is fascinating, too, with Fissler adding that Guardiola will not stand in the way of the striker should he want to depart.

“Relations between Aguero and his manager are said to be tense, which hasn’t gone unnoticed among the many clubs who have cast admiring eyes at the star,” it’s noted. “Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan are both interested in signing the Argentina striker, as are Real Madrid, but they could be ruled out of the race as they have a transfer ban.”

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Aubameyang has cemented his status as one of the top forwards in the game as of late, excelling for Dortmund over the past couple of campaigns at the point of the attack.

Here’s a look at what he can offer:

Even so, he’s not quite in the same class as Aguero. Not only is the City forward proven in English football’s notoriously unforgiving top flight, he’s clever around the penalty area and can net various types of goals.

At the Etihad Stadium, the Argentina international is adored, and any potential marginalisation of the player—he’s been benched for City’s last two matches—would raise eyebrows.

However, per James Robson of the Manchester Evening News, it seems Guardiola is demanding more of his strikers:

Aubameyang would undoubtedly add something different to the City attack. Where he does have the edge on Aguero is in terms of raw pace and power, which are qualities Guardiola’s side do seem to have lacked as of late.

Even so, the No. 10 is proven as one of the best centre-forwards in the game. If City did look to move him on, there’d be a queue of elite clubs looking to capitalise.

David Alaba Transfer Hopes Dashed

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Bayern Munich chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has ruled out any sale of star defender David Alaba and denied there is interest from City in the player.

“There is no truth in the rumours about David Alaba going to Manchester City,” he said, per Steve Goodman of the Sunday Mirror. “He recently extended his contract with us until 2021. Every big European club knows what that means with Bayern. That is to say that we are completely relaxed about his situation. His departure is not on the agenda at all.”

At Bayern, the Austria international has blossomed into one of the finest multifaceted footballers in the world.

Here’s a look at why he’s rated so highly:

As noted by Goodman, City have been linked with a move for the player lately. Guardiola worked with Alaba at Bayern, helping the 24-year-old make improvements in key areas during his three years in charge.

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The Austrian is such an asset to this Bayern side. In defence, he typically operates at left-back, pushing forward on the flanks and using his energy to quickly recover position. Additionally, Alaba has previously shown he can fill in at centre-back, while he occupies a central-midfield berth for his national side.

Guardiola’s options at left-back are Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov, and neither are as adaptable or dynamic as Alaba. However, with Bayern dominating domestically and challenging in the UEFA Champions League, the versatile star will surely be content with life at the Allianz Arena.