Manchester City Transfer News: Fabinho Approach Rumours, Joshua Kimmich Latest
Manchester City have reportedly already approached AS Monaco about potentially signing Fabinho in the summer.
According to Bruno Andrade of Goal (h/t Lucas Sposito of Sport Witness), the Premier League giants have made their move for the Brazilian, who has been central to the superb campaign the Ligue 1 side are enjoying.
In the report it's noted that Fabinho is one of a clutch of Monaco stars being eyed up by clubs across Europe, including Tiemoue Bakayoko, Thomas Lemar, Bernardo Silva and Kylian Mbappe.
Fabinho is a player that'd make a lot of sense for City, though. Per Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, he shone against them in the recent UEFA Champions League round-of-16 showdown:
Although the 23-year-old has been deployed primarily as a central midfielder so far this season, he's also done a fine job at full-back during his time with the principality club. They're two areas of the field City manager Pep Guardiola will be keen to strengthen in the summer.
Fabinho brings a lot of qualities City lack in these areas, too. He's aggressive, industrious and crucially versatile. Guardiola loves his full-backs to drop inside to create overloads in the middle of the pitch, and that's a job the Monaco man would be able to do with ease.
Additionally, as noted by Squawka Football here, the Brazilian is also an expert penalty-taker:
With Yaya Toure in the twilight of his career and Ilkay Gundogan sidelined with a long-term injury problem, Fabinho would be ideal to step in at the base of the City midfield and shore things up. By contrast, with the contracts of Pablo Zabaleta and Bacary Sagna up at the end of the campaign, he could also be needed at right-back.
Monaco will be keen to keep as many of their rising stars at the club as possible this summer, as they've soared to the summit of Ligue 1 and into the last four of the UEFA Champions League. But City would be a tempting prospect for Fabinho given just how crucial a role he'd play.
Joshua Kimmich Sale Rumours Dismissed
According to Bayern Munich manager Carlo Ancelotti, versatile midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who is a reported target for Manchester City, will be going nowhere in the upcoming transfer window.
"There is no way Joshua [Kimmich] will leave in the summer," the legendary Italian coach insisted, per Alex Richards of the Daily Mirror. "No way!"
Kimmich has found it difficult to make a sustained impression in the Bayern team this season, starting just 10 games in the German top flight. Regardless, many expect him to enjoy a big future at the Allianz Arena.
For Ancelotti, a player like the 22-year-old is so important to have around the squad too. Kimmich's ideal position is in the centre of midfield, although during his time with Bayern and Germany he's filled in at centre-back and right-back.
Additionally, when he did get a run of games earlier in the campaign, he chipped in with some important goals, per the Champions League Twitter feed:
As is the case with Fabinho, Kimmich would be a fine acquisition for City due to his vibrancy and adaptability. But it's difficult to see Bayern opting to cash in on him, as relayed by Ancelotti.
With legendary right-back Philipp Lahm set to retire at the end of the season, there will be more opportunities for the youngster in 2017-18. Then, expect him to show why so many are so excited about what he'll bring to Bayern for many years to come.
