Manchester City Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Fabinho and Vincent Kompany

Manchester City are reportedly set to enter a bidding war with bitter rivals Manchester United over AS Monaco right-back Fabinho.

According to Claire Bloomfield of the Sun, City manager Pep Guardiola is determined to bring four new full-backs to the Etihad Stadium, starting with the highly rated Brazilian.

Bloomfield wrote that Fabinho has been on Manchester United’s radar for some time and that a bidding showdown with Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho is likely to ensue.

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In fact, United reportedly came close to bringing the 22-year-old to Old Trafford in the summer; it was only when a deal to offload Matteo Darmian fell through that the transfer went cold.

City will be hoping for much better fortunes when they make a move for Fabinho, who is seemingly the exact the kind of player Guardiola relishes working with.

He’s quick and exciting going forward yet still has enough about him to be positionally perfect at the back. Here’s a look at what the Brazilian could bring to the Etihad:

Plus, his versatility is appealing. As well as being a marauding full-back, Fabinho can also operate in the heart of midfield and did so to devastating effect in the Champions League recently.

Fabinho controlled the game in Monaco’s 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow on Tuesday, as Squawka Football highlighted:

The full-back recently signed a new five-year deal at Monaco, but neither Mourinho nor Guardiola will likely be deterred.

Should either of them put the right offer on the table, the Ligue 1 side would surely start talking.

Elsewhere, rumours have emerged that club captain Vincent Kompany could be on his way out of the club, per Paul Doyle of the Guardian.

Arguably City's best player since he was signed in 2008, Kompany has been a rock at the back for the club, yet injuries have blighted his progress of late.

Rui Vieira/Associated Press

However, on Friday, Guardiola responded to the idea of there being no room for the Belgian in his squad by saying he likes his style of play, per BBC Sport: "When he is fit, he is a real central defender. I like him."

Manchester City started the season in remarkable form, but cracks have started to show in recent weeks.

Their 4-0 demolition at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League shows how far they still need to go if they’re to mix it with the best in the business.

City take on Southampton at the Etihad on Sunday, looking for their first win in five matches in all competitions.