Manchester City are expected to look towards the Bundesliga as they prepare for another major rebuild ahead of the 2026-27 campaign, with Leipzig winger reportedly emerging as the club’s preferred option to strengthen the attacking areas.
The summer is shaping up to be one of the most significant periods in recent history at the Etihad Stadium following the departure of Pep Guardiola, who ended a remarkable 10-year spell in charge that transformed City into one of Europe’s dominant forces.
Attention has now shifted towards the future direction of the club under incoming head coach Enzo Maresca.
The Italian is understood to have reached an agreement in principle over a three-year contract with City officials as negotiations continue over the final details of his appointment.
Maresca, who previously worked under Guardiola before taking managerial roles elsewhere, has quickly become the leading choice of the City hierarchy as they seek continuity after the end of Guardiola’s era.
Sporting director Hugo Viana is already heavily involved in planning the next stage of the club’s development, with recruitment expected to play a central role.
Transfer specialist Gianluca Di Marzio believes City’s priorities this summer will include the addition of both a winger and a right-back, with the club monitoring several emerging talents across Europe.
Among the names linked with a possible move to Manchester is Bournemouth forward Eli Junior Kroupi, who has attracted attention from a number of top clubs due to his rapid rise and impressive performances.
Speaking to AceOdds.com, Di Marzio said: “He’s a super, super player. I know, for example, that Enzo Maresca likes him a lot.”
The youngster has developed a growing reputation as one of the most exciting attacking prospects available on the market, and his versatility across the front line has reportedly made him an attractive option for several leading sides.
However, despite the admiration for Kroupi, Di Marzio believes Leipzig winger Yan Diomande currently sits higher on Manchester City’s list of attacking targets.
“I don’t know if they (Manchester City) will try to get him this season, but they will for sure try to sign one offensive winger and one right back,” Di Marzio explained.
“I think that the first choice for City is not Kroupi, but it’s Yan Diomande of Leipzig. I think that he could be the first choice, for the offensive winger position.”
Diomande’s performances in Germany have placed him firmly on the radar of Europe’s elite clubs.
The Leipzig winger is regarded as a direct and technically gifted attacker capable of playing on either flank, qualities that would fit naturally into the fast and fluid attacking style City are expected to maintain under Maresca.
The club’s interest in wide players is understandable given the uncertainty surrounding several attacking positions within the current squad.
City are expected to reshape parts of their frontline during the coming months as they attempt to refresh a team that enjoyed enormous success under Guardiola.
Right-back position remains under review
Alongside their search for attacking reinforcements, Manchester City are also continuing to assess options at right-back.
Although Matheus Nunes impressed in the role during the previous campaign, City officials are still believed to be considering whether additional competition or long-term cover is required in the position.
Nunes adapted effectively after being deployed in a deeper role and produced a series of strong performances that helped stabilise the side during difficult moments of the season.
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His versatility has become increasingly valuable to the squad, but City’s recruitment department continues to explore alternative solutions.
One player under close observation is Marco Palestra, the Atalanta defender currently gaining experience on loan at Cagliari.
Di Marzio revealed that City admire the Italian youngster but remain uncertain about how his qualities would translate into the tactical demands of English football.
On the right-back role, Di Marzio added: “I know that (Marco) Palestra of Atalanta, who is playing with Cagliari on loan, is a player that they like.
“But they have to know and understand if, tactically, he can play right back for City because in Italy, we play in a different way.
“We play with five players in midfield, and he’s playing right back, and so they have to understand if he can play in a defensive way, but they are scouting him.”
