Sources at the Etihad Stadium have not downplayed the chances of significant additions to Manchester City's midfield options next summer, as per reports.
The Premier League champions scored twice late on to claim a hard-fought victory over Borussia Dortmund in their Champions League group-stage clash on Tuesday evening.
Jude Bellingham gave the visitors the lead with a clever header past Ederson after 56 minutes before a screamer from John Stones and an acrobatic effort from Erling Haaland completed the turnaround for Pep Guardiola's side.
Since his summer move from Dortmund, Haaland has made an electrifying start to life at the Etihad Stadium and once again made the difference for City when the Blues were pushing for a winner against the Norwegian's former club.
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City signed the 22-year-old for a reported figure of £51 million as part of a major squad revamp in the first-team squad this summer.
Julian Alvarez also headed to Manchester after City announced his signing on the final day of the January transfer window - with the Argentine spending the second half of the previous campaign at his boyhood club.
A hefty number of departures saw Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko join Arsenal and Raheem Sterling depart for Chelsea, with Fernandinho calling time on his decorated nine-year spell at the Etihad Stadium.
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City signed Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United to strengthen competition for Rodri in central midfield as academy duo Romeo Lavia and James McAtee joined Southampton and Sheffield United in permanent and loan moves respectively.
The Premier League champions also put an end to their long-standing issues at left back with the signing of Sergio Gomez from Anderlecht before adding Manuel Akanji to their centre-back ranks on deadline day.
Stefan Ortega joined in to provide cover for Ederson between the sticks as Zack Steffen joined Middlesbrough on a season-long loan for regular game time.
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City managed to keep hold of Bernardo Silva despite interest from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain but could again face the possibility of a departure for the Portuguese next summer.
With club captain Ilkay Gundogan also in the final year of his contract, City could decide to bolster their options in the middle of the park next summer after signing a recognised striker and strengthening their backline ahead of the new campaign.
According to a report by Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail, sources at the Etihad Stadium have not ruled out the chances of a significant outlay in the next priority area of the squad that needs addressing - which is expected to be in central midfield.
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After Jude Bellingham's eye-catching performance at the home of the Citizens, the Blues could pursue the signing of the 19-year-old Englishman next summer, with Liverpool understood to be the early frontrunners to sign the highly-rated teenager.
Speaking after City's second Champions League win of the season, Manuel Akanji heaped praise on his former teammate Bellingham, saying: "He’s a great player. He’s 19. He made a big step from first to second year. He keeps working hard. I think next year we're going to see a big move out of him."
Pep Guardiola added to the Birmingham academy graduate's praises, saying: "He (Bellingham) is an exceptional player. I think everyone knows it, not just because the manager of Manchester City tells you. Everybody knows it."
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Premier League, Football, Pep Guardiola, Ilkay Gundogan, Jude Bellingham, Borussia Dortmund, Bundesliga
