With just one week remaining before the start of the 2024/25 season, Manchester City and their manager, Pep Guardiola, are expected to remain active in the summer transfer market.
Despite having won four consecutive Premier League titles, which underscores the strength and depth of their squad, Guardiola still seems intent on making further additions to ensure his team remains competitive at the highest level.
So far, City’s only notable signing this summer has been Savinho, a £25 million winger who made his debut against rivals Manchester United in the Community Shield over the weekend.
This limited transfer activity suggests that there are few areas within the squad that require significant upgrades. However, the ongoing summer transfer window still presents opportunities for Guardiola to fine-tune his squad, particularly with the potential departure of key players and the need to maintain a competitive edge.
Manchester City has faced concerns regarding the possible exits of some of their star players, notably Kevin De Bruyne and Ederson, both of whom have reportedly been targets for lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League.
Despite the speculation, it appears that both players are set to remain at the Etihad Stadium, providing Guardiola with a measure of stability in his squad as they approach the new season.
Nevertheless, the uncertainty surrounding their futures highlights the delicate balance City must strike in maintaining their squad’s quality and depth.
The funds generated from potential sales or simply the club’s financial strength could be directed towards acquiring a new offensive threat to complement last season’s top striker, Erling Haaland.
Guardiola’s quest for attacking reinforcements has sparked widespread speculation, and recent developments have pointed to a surprising potential target: Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.
According to a report by CoinPoker.com, which utilized a combination of AI technologies including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Bing AI, Vlahovic has emerged as a prime candidate for a late summer move to Manchester City.
The AI-driven analysis predicts that Vlahovic could be the next big-name signing in the Premier League during this transfer window, potentially adding another dimension to Guardiola’s attacking options.
Vlahovic, currently valued at £55 million by transfermarkt, made a high-profile move to Juventus from Fiorentina two years ago for a fee of £66 million.
His transfer followed a breakout season in which he scored an impressive 21 goals, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most promising young strikers. However, his time at Juventus has been hampered by injuries, limiting his impact and resulting in a more modest return of 26 Serie A goals over the past two seasons.
Despite these setbacks, the AI analysis suggests that Vlahovic still possesses the potential to make a significant impact in the Premier League, particularly if he joins a club like Manchester City.
His physical presence, goal-scoring ability, and tactical flexibility would provide Guardiola with a valuable alternative or complement to Haaland, who remains City’s primary attacking force.
Should City pursue and secure Vlahovic’s signature, the Serbian striker would likely be used in a role similar to that of Julian Alvarez, another talented forward who has thrived under Guardiola’s guidance.
While Haaland would continue to lead the line, Vlahovic could offer City additional firepower and the tactical versatility to adapt to different match situations and opponents.
