Manchester City’s summer of 2025 has turned into a restless chase for answers, a period filled with more questions than solutions. The club that once looked like a perfectly built machine suddenly finds itself searching for one missing piece. The right-back position, a spot that once belonged to the ever-reliable Kyle Walker, has become an open wound that Pep Guardiola cannot stop thinking about. When Walker left the Etihad to join Burnley, few thought the hole he would leave behind could feel this big. But as the season approaches, it has become clear—Manchester City are desperate to find the right man for the job.
This is not just about replacing a player; it’s about replacing a system. Pep Guardiola’s style of football is like an orchestra where every instrument must play in perfect rhythm. His full-backs are not ordinary defenders; they are playmakers in disguise, midfielders who defend and defenders who create. Under him, the right-back position has turned into one of the most complicated roles in football. The player must run, think, pass, defend, attack, and transform within seconds. And when you lose someone like Walker, who understood every beat of Guardiola’s rhythm, you don’t just buy another player—you search for someone who can see football the way Pep does.
Inside Manchester City’s camp, the situation is delicate. Rico Lewis, the young academy product who has drawn praise from every corner of English football, could be seen as the obvious choice. But Lewis himself doesn’t want to be known as a right-back. His dream is to play in midfield, to be the man who controls the game from the center, not the one who races down the flank. Guardiola respects his ambition, but the team’s needs come first. City need a right-back who fits into their tactical puzzle immediately, not one still discovering his true position.
So Guardiola turned to an unexpected name—Matheus Nunes. The Portuguese midfielder, signed last summer to strengthen the midfield, suddenly found himself transformed into a right-back. Guardiola, known for his experimental brilliance, pushed Nunes into a defensive role, and to the surprise of many, it worked better than expected. Nunes adapted quickly, showing strength, intelligence, and balance. He became Pep’s makeshift solution. But even Guardiola knows deep down that this can’t last forever. City need a specialist, someone who lives and breathes the right-back role, someone who can command that flank with the same authority Walker once did.
That’s where the search began to focus on one man—Tino Livramento of Newcastle United. At just 22 years old, Livramento has already shown flashes of brilliance. Fast, smart, confident on the ball, and technically gifted, he has everything Guardiola loves in a full-back. His performances have been so strong that City scouts immediately flagged him as the perfect long-term solution. In him, Pep sees the “ideal” fit for his tactical vision—the final piece that could bring balance to both defense and attack
But football is never that simple. Newcastle United are not ready to let go of their star defender. They see Livramento as the cornerstone of their own future, the player around whom they want to build their next great team. And so, when Manchester City came knocking, Newcastle’s answer was clear: only for an outrageous fee. Reports suggest they want £80 million, a figure that would make Livramento one of the most expensive defenders in football history. Even for a club as wealthy as Manchester City, that price made everyone pause. Pep knows that spending that much on one player could shake up the club’s financial plans, especially in a world where Financial Fair Play rules hover like a shadow over every transfer decision.
Behind closed doors, City’s directors started crunching numbers, analyzing options, and comparing players. The conversation quickly turned to another name—Denzel Dumfries. The Dutch international, currently playing for Inter Milan, suddenly became the most interesting name on the table. Dumfries isn’t a young prospect like Livramento, but he brings something else—experience, strength, and tactical maturity. And most importantly, he has a release clause that makes him one of the best-value options in Europe. For just £21.5 million, City could sign a proven international who has played at the highest level, from Serie A to the Champions League. The clause expires in mid-July, creating urgency that Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain, City’s sporting director, can’t ignore.
At 29, Dumfries is in his prime. He’s fast, powerful, and disciplined. He has played under tactical masterminds in Italy and learned how to handle the world’s best wingers. But beyond his skills, what makes him stand out is how others talk about him—especially Achraf Hakimi. The Moroccan star, widely regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world, once played alongside Dumfries at Inter Milan. In a Sky Sports interview, Hakimi spoke glowingly about his former teammate. “He’s strong, especially in the air,” Hakimi said. “I learned a lot from him. He is different. He understands the game in a way that helps the team defend and attack with balance.”
That kind of praise matters. It’s not every day that a player as talented as Hakimi compliments another right-back, especially when they are technically rivals for the same global recognition. But Hakimi’s words opened eyes at the Etihad. Guardiola, who studies players not only through numbers but through personalities and reputations, saw in Dumfries a player who could bring experience and strength to a young defense that still needs leadership. Dumfries is not just another signing—he could be the anchor Pep has been quietly missing since Walker left.
The statistics support the idea that Dumfries might be the right man. In the 2024/25 season, he scored 11 goals for Inter, matching Hakimi’s tally at Paris Saint-Germain. That’s an incredible number for a defender. His attacking instincts, combined with his strong defensive discipline, make him the kind of hybrid player Pep loves. However, the assists tell a different story. Hakimi registered 15, while Dumfries managed only 6. But in Pep’s world, numbers don’t always tell the full truth. Inter’s system under Simone Inzaghi demanded more defensive work from Dumfries, while PSG’s setup allowed Hakimi to roam freely. In a Guardiola team that dominates possession and pins opponents back, Dumfries could easily increase his attacking contributions.
What really excites Pep is Dumfries’ physicality. English football is not for the weak. The Premier League demands players who can battle in the air, sprint down the wing, and recover when possession is lost. Dumfries has those qualities in abundance. He’s tall, powerful, and rarely loses aerial duels. With teams like Liverpool, Arsenal, and Tottenham all relying heavily on set pieces and quick transitions, having a right-back who can handle both the air and the ground battles is crucial. And that’s where Dumfries might quietly become a difference-maker for Manchester City.
But the question still lingers: can he adapt to Guardiola’s system? Inter’s structure is very different from City’s. In Italy, Dumfries often plays as a wing-back in a back five. At City, the right-back role is more fluid. Sometimes it’s a full-back, sometimes a midfielder, sometimes even a center-back when Pep’s inverting system takes shape. The positional play Pep demands is like learning a new language, and not every player masters it quickly. Joao Cancelo did it beautifully for a time, but even he eventually fell out of favor because of tactical misunderstandings. For Dumfries, the challenge will be not just to defend or attack, but to *think* like a Guardiola player.
Still, Pep has a history of turning intelligent players into world-class stars in new roles. John Stones, once a traditional center-back, became an auxiliary midfielder who glides between defense and attack. Fabian Delph, a natural midfielder, became one of the most efficient left-backs in the league. Even Bernardo Silva has played everywhere on the pitch under Guardiola—from winger to deep-lying playmaker. If Dumfries has the right attitude and willingness to learn, Pep could unlock a new level in his game.
The story doesn’t end there. Behind the scenes, Manchester City’s management is carefully balancing ambition with reality. Financial Fair Play rules have made them more cautious than ever. Gone are the days of spending over £100 million without hesitation. Every signing now must make both footballing and financial sense. Dumfries’ release clause makes him a dream option in this regard. For the cost of one-quarter of Livramento’s asking price, City could solve their right-back issue and still have room to strengthen other areas.
Pep Guardiola has also been thinking about the future of Rico Lewis. The young Englishman remains one of City’s brightest prospects, and Pep doesn’t want to block his growth. Signing Dumfries, who is nearly 30, gives City an experienced short-term solution while allowing Lewis to continue developing, possibly stepping into the role full-time in two or three years. It’s the perfect balance—immediate quality with long-term planning.
The coming weeks are crucial. The clause in Dumfries’ contract expires soon, meaning Manchester City must make their move quickly. Other clubs in Europe are circling, aware that £21.5 million for a player of his caliber is a bargain. Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and even Manchester United have been linked, but Guardiola’s pull remains strong. For players who dream of trophies, playing under Pep at Manchester City is one of the most attractive prospects in world football.
Inside the Etihad offices, meetings are happening daily. Pep, Begiristain, and Ferran Soriano are reviewing reports, watching clips, and studying data. They know this transfer isn’t just about filling a gap—it’s about maintaining dominance. Manchester City are chasing history, trying to build a team that can continue their era of supremacy for years to come. Every signing matters, every detail counts.
Meanwhile, fans have started to react. On social media, debates rage. Some want Livramento, calling him the “next Walker.” Others believe Dumfries is the smarter move. Many point to Hakimi’s endorsement as proof that the Dutch defender has what it takes to succeed. Whatever the opinions, one thing is certain—Manchester City cannot afford to enter the new season without solving the right-back problem.
Pep himself has remained calm in public, as he always does. But those close to him know how much this position bothers him. Walker was not just a defender; he was Pep’s warrior, his on-field soldier who understood the tactical orders without words. Losing him means losing balance. Guardiola knows that if City get this decision wrong, it could affect the entire structure of his team.
The beauty of Dumfries is that he represents both strength and simplicity. He doesn’t overcomplicate things. He runs, he defends, he scores, and he fights for every ball. In a Guardiola system filled with tactical complexity, having a player who keeps things simple can sometimes make the biggest difference. That’s why this deal feels so right. It’s not flashy, but it’s efficient—exactly how champions operate.
In the end, football is often about timing. Dumfries’ availability, Inter Milan’s financial needs, and City’s search for a right-back have all collided at the perfect moment. The stars are aligning, and Guardiola knows it. He has seen enough transfers fall apart at the last minute to understand when opportunity knocks. And this time, everything points toward Dumfries wearing sky blue before the window closes.
As the summer days roll on, City fans are waiting for those three famous words from Fabrizio Romano—“Here we go.” They’ve seen it many times before, but each one still sends shivers of excitement through the fanbase. The idea of Dumfries joining a backline of Stones, Dias, and Gvardiol sounds like another step toward perfection. The defending champions want to stay on top, and this signing could be the calm answer to a quiet problem.
But football has its own way of surprising everyone. If the Dumfries deal doesn’t happen, City will not stop looking. Guardiola’s list always has backup plans, hidden options known only to the inner circle. What’s certain is that Pep will not start the season with a hole in his defense. He’s too meticulous, too driven, and too determined to allow that. Whether it’s Dumfries, Livramento, or someone entirely unexpected, Manchester City will find their man.
This is what defines the club now—a constant pursuit of perfection. Every season begins with a plan, every player is a piece of the puzzle. For Guardiola, it’s never about names or hype; it’s about balance, control, and trust. And that’s why this search for a right-back has become more than a transfer—it’s a reflection of everything City stand for.
As the clock ticks toward mid-July, one thing is becoming clear: the Dumfries deal could be the smartest move of the summer. Affordable, proven, and recommended by one of the best in the world, the Dutch defender might soon find himself walking into the Etihad, shaking hands with Pep, and wearing the sky-blue shirt. If that happens, City’s machine will once again be complete, and the pursuit of more trophies will continue with renewed strength.
For Manchester City, the story of the right-back search is not just about one player—it’s about evolution, resilience, and the hunger to stay on top. From Walker’s exit to Dumfries’ possible arrival, it tells a story of how even the world’s best teams must constantly rebuild, rethink, and react. And if history has taught football anything, it’s that when Guardiola sets his mind on fixing something, he doesn’t stop until it’s perfect.
