Manchester City have reportedly shortlisted PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko as a potential transfer target.
The Premier League champions have recently regained some superiority in the top flight, winning five games in succession to move within two points of leaders Liverpool with a match in hand.
While the return of Kevin De Bruyne has had a direct impact on City's output in terms of points, several other of their creative players have pulled their weight.
Nevertheless, Pep Guardiola has a tendency of always looking to either strengthen or freshen up his squad, as shown by the acquisitions of the likes of Matheus Nunes and Jeremy Doku last summer.
As it stands, though, the aforementioned pair are yet to have a sustained impact at the Etihad Stadium at a time when City are already being linked with fresh arrivals ahead of 2024-25.
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On Monday, it was claimed that City are expected to take advantage of Troyes winger Savio starring for sister club Girona by signing the Brazilian at the end of the season.
Such a deal would significantly bolster Guardiola's options in the final third and put a number of squad members at risk of being sold.
However, according to Voetbalkrant, City are taking an interest in signing Bakayoko from PSV.
In 26 appearances in the Eredivisie and Champions League this season, the 20-year-old has chipped in with five goals and nine assists.
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That return comes on the back of Bakayoko turning down the opportunity to move to the Premier League last summer when Brentford made a club-record approach.
After a further year of first-team football with the Dutch giants, a summer transfer is much more plausible with the Belgium international no longer regarded as just a prospect.
The report adds that Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also giving consideration to making a move for Bakayoko ahead of the next campaign.
With his current contract due to expire in 2026, it is unlikely that Bakayoko will contemplate a renewal now that he has racked up a total of 70 appearances for PSV in all competitions.
Darren Plant
