Guardiola gets his wish as Man City ready £51m bid for two-footed wing-back compared to Paolo Maldini
Manchester City are preparing to make a bid for Andrea Cambiaso, the Juventus star, with reports suggesting that Pep Guardiola has specifically requested the player to strengthen his team. Cambiaso is one of the top full-backs in the world and is capable of playing on either side of the defense. He is a two-footed player, which makes him extremely versatile in his role. Cambiaso has been part of Juventus since 2022 and has quickly become one of the club’s most important players. This season, he has played mainly as a left-back for Juventus, contributing with two goals and two assists in 32 appearances across all competitions. He previously played more often as a right-sided midfielder during the 2023-24 season, where he scored three goals and provided six assists in 39 appearances.
The player’s potential has been recognized by many, including AC Milan legend Mauro Tassotti, who worked with Cambiaso during his time as assistant manager at Genoa. Tassotti was so impressed by Cambiaso that he compared him to Paolo Maldini, one of the greatest defenders in football history. Tassotti highlighted Cambiaso’s ability to play on both the left and right sides of the defense and his impressive ability to use both feet. He also praised Cambiaso’s adaptability and versatility, which has seen him perform well in different roles within the defense. According to Tassotti, Cambiaso has made a rapid progression in his career, having performed well at Bologna before joining Juventus. He sees Cambiaso as a capable wing-back who can also function as a full-back in a four-man defense.
Reports from Italy have revealed that Manchester City are eager to secure Cambiaso’s signature, and they have been considering making an official bid. The initial reports indicated that Manchester City were willing to offer between €60 million and €65 million (around £55 million or $68.3 million), including add-ons, for the player. However, Juventus have been firm with their asking price, demanding at least €80 million (£67.6 million or $84.1 million) for Cambiaso. Despite this, Manchester City has not backed down and are reportedly planning to make a new offer. Sources suggest that the club is now ready to bid €62 million (£51 million, $65 million) for the player in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Pep Guardiola has personally requested that Manchester City pursue Cambiaso, and the club is reportedly determined to bring him to the Etihad Stadium. The interest in Cambiaso comes at a time when Manchester City are looking to reinforce their squad, particularly in the full-back positions. Guardiola has made it clear that he wants a new left-back, and Cambiaso fits the profile of a player that could be a valuable addition to the team.
In addition to Cambiaso, Manchester City is also reportedly keeping an eye on other players in the transfer market. One of the biggest blows to their plans has been the pursuit of French defender Jules Kounde from Barcelona. City were reportedly keen on Kounde and had even started preparing an offer to convince Barcelona to sell the player. However, Kounde has made it clear that he does not want to leave Barcelona and intends to stay at the Spanish club.
Another important player in Manchester City’s future is Kevin De Bruyne, whose contract is set to expire soon. There has been speculation about De Bruyne’s next move, with reports suggesting that he could join Major League Soccer or the Saudi Pro League. However, new reports suggest that De Bruyne may be willing to stay at Manchester City and sign a new contract, although this could involve a pay cut and reduced playing time. De Bruyne’s decision will be closely watched by Manchester City fans, as the Belgian playmaker has been one of the key figures in the team’s success over the past few years.
Meanwhile, Manchester City is also reportedly targeting Florian Wirtz, a young attacking midfielder from Bayer Leverkusen. Wirtz has been one of the standout players in Europe, and Manchester City is said to be willing to offer £115 million to secure his services. The player is also reportedly being pursued by other top clubs, including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain. This shows how highly regarded Wirtz is and how competitive the transfer market can be for top talent.
Andrea Cambiaso’s rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed by the top clubs in Europe, including Manchester City. Guardiola’s system has revolutionized the role of full-backs, and Cambiaso’s two-footed nature makes him an ideal candidate for the inverted full-back role that Guardiola has often employed. Cambiaso has spoken about his ability to adapt to different positions on the field, stating that he doesn’t have a preferred role and that he is happy to contribute wherever he is needed. On the left, he tends to stay closer to the touchline, while on the right, he moves more centrally, contributing to the team’s buildup play. Cambiaso is also known for his dribbling skills, technical ability, and strength in duels, all of which make him a valuable asset on the pitch.
At 25, Cambiaso is entering the prime years of his career, and his potential is only expected to grow. He has already earned his senior debut for Italy in 2024 as a reward for his strong performances in Serie A. Cambiaso’s rise at Juventus has shown that he is capable of performing at a top club, and he could be ready for the next step in his career, which might come at Manchester City. Under Guardiola’s guidance, Cambiaso could develop into one of the top full-backs in Europe, and his versatility would give Manchester City a tactical advantage in multiple competitions.
Manchester City’s interest in Cambiaso highlights their ambition to continue building a squad capable of competing at the highest level. Guardiola’s emphasis on versatility and tactical flexibility is evident in his pursuit of Cambiaso, who can play on either side of the defense and contribute to the team in different ways. Cambiaso’s adaptability would be crucial for Guardiola’s tactical setup, and his ability to use both feet makes him a perfect fit for the inverted full-back role that has become a key feature of Guardiola’s system. If Manchester City can secure Cambiaso’s signature, it would be a significant boost to their squad, and the player’s development under Guardiola could take him to new heights.
Overall, the summer transfer window is shaping up to be an exciting one for Manchester City, with several high-profile targets on their radar. Cambiaso’s potential move to the Etihad Stadium is just one of the many transfer rumors surrounding the club. With Guardiola at the helm, Manchester City will continue to pursue top talent and seek to strengthen their squad in every position. Whether or not Cambiaso ultimately joins Manchester City remains to be seen, but his ability and potential make him a player worth watching in the coming months. As the transfer window approaches, it will be interesting to see how Manchester City’s pursuit of Cambiaso and other targets unfolds.
