Manchester City are keeping close tabs on the future of KRC Gent left-back Gerardo Arteaga.
According to a report from TUDN, Gerardo Arteaga is staring at an uncertain future at KRC Genk this summer. The defender is increasingly keen on leaving the Belgian outfit in favour of a move to a top European club, especially in light of the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Manchester City are among the clubs keeping tabs on his development at Genk and the English champions could possibly make an attempt to snap him in the summer transfer window. However, they can expect fierce competition from other Premier League clubs including Brighton and Leeds United.
Brighton’s interest in Arteaga is particularly intriguing as it suggests the Seagulls are looking for a replacement for Marc Cucurella. The Spaniard has been heavily linked with a move to Manchester City this summer, having been identified as the top left-back target for Pep Guardiola after the exit of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The Ukrainian international has recently joined Arsenal on a permanent deal. His departure leaves a void in the left-back slot for Manchester City, effectively leaving Pep Guardiola with Joao Cancelo as the only reliable option in the position. It has accentuated the need for a new face, with Cucurella emerging as the ideal option.
However, Brighton have recently rebuffed Manchester City’s opening offer as they continue to hold out for a hefty £50 million. The Cityzens are not looking to spend such a fortune on the left-back, though, and are open to finding other alternatives in the market.
That is where Gerardo Arteaga comes into the fray. The 23-year-old Mexican international has enjoyed immense success at Genk in recent years, establishing himself as one of the finest full-backs in the Belgian top flight. He has been involved in 11 goals in 70 competitive matches while racking up 15 caps for the Mexican national team.
Despite his 1.74m frame, Arteaga has impressed the onlookers with his technical ability that goes hand in hand with Pep Guardiola’s tactical setup. However, the Catalan tactical will certainly favour a move for Cucurella, who offers experience at the highest level of football and shouldn’t take much time settling into life at Etihad.