According to the recent developments in the British media, Tottenham Hotspur fullback, Danny Rose is a target for Manchester City. The 26-year-old has been a key player in the north London club’s back four and has beaten competition from Ben Davies to become the club’s first choice left-back.
Guardiola has the services of Gael Clichy and Aleksandar Kolarov as his two first choice left-backs at the Etihad but feels that he needs to bring in some reinforcements in order to enhance his tactical flexibility further.
Kolarov has also been used in the central defending position at times, leaving Clichy as the only recognised player in that position which is something the City boss is looking to change. Interestingly, all of the Citizen’s fullbacks in Aleksander Kolarov, Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Gael Clichy – are 31 or older and Guardiola is keen to lower the age profile of his defence.
City scouts have watched the England international closely in recent weeks and it is believed that the Tottenham fullback has impressed them. With the scouts relaying their reports about the defender to Guardiola, he has given the green light to the club’s hierarchy to negotiate a move for Rose in the transfer window.
It is not the first time that Rose has attracted interest from other clubs in the Premier League. At the start of last season, he was linked with a move to Manchester United. Louis van Gaal, the then United manager tried to bring him to Old Trafford but the move didn’t materialise.
Tottenham, aware of the interest, convinced Rose to sign a new five-year contract in September of this year. The new deal has given some leverage to Tottenham further strengthening the position of the club, whose chairman Daniel Levy is a personality known to drive pretty hard bargains in the transfer market. Rose is now valued at £25m, which will be the minimum amount that City would need to shell out to secure his signature. It is expected that the transfer fee won’t deter the mega-wealthy Blues, with Guardiola scouring Europe and further afield for new full-backs.
Having joined Tottenham in 2007, The England international full-back has established himself as one of the most recognised fullbacks in the Premier League. His pace, tackling and dribbling makes him a formidable player on the pitch who can occupy the positions of a traditional fullback or a wingback or sometimes even further up field in the midfield.
A player capable of contributing to both the aspects of the game Danny Rose would be a good signing for Manchester City.
