Second position to be targeted by Manchester City in summer transfer window alongside central midfield

Manchester City will look at strengthening a second position during the 2023 summer transfer window, despite holding an interest in recruiting at central midfield.

While the new campaign may just have only gotten underway, officials at the Etihad Stadium are certainly not resting on their laurels.

As is usually the case with the day-to-day operation at the Premier League champions, the likes of Director of Football Txiki Begiristain are looking in to what can be done next to take Pep Guardiola's squad to the next level.

The most recent summer transfer window was one of great change.

Manchester City brought an end to their long search for a Sergio Aguero replacement through the arrival of Erling Haaland, while Kalvin Phillips, Stefan Ortega Moreno, Sergio Gomez, Manuel Akanji, and Julian Alvarez all joined.

But despite the arrivals of Phillips and Gomez in particular, Manchester City's summer transfer window of 2023 is also expected to feature targets in those positions.

According to the information of Jack Gaughan at the Mail, Manchester City are still on the lookout for a full-back.

Etihad officials have had struggles in left-back in particular during the Pep Guardiola era, with the Catalan coach often opting for moving players out of their natural position and into the role, such as Fabian Delph and Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City.

As for right-back, age is not on the side of Kyle Walker, and his recent struggles plus injury issues may mean that club officials open a dialogue in regards to seeking a long-term replacement for the England international.

Despite full-back once again being an area of interest to club officials, it is stressed in the same report that Etihad chiefs are expected to make a 'significant' investment into the midfield area.

That is despite Bernardo Silva opting to remain at the club for another season.

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva (Twitter)

However, concerns remain over whether the Portugal international will want to commit his future to Manchester City beyond the end of the ongoing season.

Talks are scheduled with the player to establish whether City can count on his services for the foreseeable, however work is being done in the background to ensure they have a list of candidates to replace him should that be necessary.

One name is Jude Bellingham.

Jude Bellingham was arguably England's best player in the international break (Image: Alamy)

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is expected to command significant interest next summer, most likely from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

But Manchester City - should they wish to pursue the teenager - will also face firm interest from England for the player, from the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool.