Manchester City breathed a huge sigh of relief as they dismantled a hapless Watford 5-0 and thus secured a 3rd place finish and a subsequent qualification to the Champions League. But it was Pep’s first season without a trophy and that will be something at the back of his mind.
Things were not supposed to be the way they are when one of the world’s best managers, Pep Guardiola was brought into the club from the German Champions Bayern Munich last summer. However, it has not been a great season for the Spaniard, as he has found it difficult to settle down in the English Premier League so far.
However, the ex-Barcelona manager is reportedly looking to make a number of changes in his squad for the next season, with the exclusion of quite a few experienced campaigners from the team during the next summer transfer window. The list is quite long and it includes the name of the French international in the right back position, Bacary Sagna.
Sagna joined The Citizens in 2014 from his former club Arsenal under the coaching of Manuel Pellegrini. He has been playing as a regular in the City backline until this season and has been sidelined by the current coach Guardiola. The right winger Navas has been playing in the right back position for the last few games, and the Spanish coach has been quite happy with his compatriot’s performance in a new role.
Reportedly, The Citizens have not offered Sagna a new contract as his current one is about to expire at the end of this season. Speculations are rife that they are looking to offload the French international during the summer transfer window to bring in someone younger and agile as a replacement for the 34-year-old.
With his hint of departure from Manchester City, a number of clubs are looking to bag the French international for the next season. Crystal Palace, reportedly, are considered to be the frontrunner to offer Sagna a permanent deal which can see the right back moving to the Selhurst Park this summer.
The Eagles have avoided relegation for the season and are set to continue their stint in the Premier League in the next season as well. It has been a hard fought season for them and their current coach Sam Allardyce is looking to rebuild his team with a number of experienced players like the French international to avoid mishaps in the next season.
