Kyle Walker might give Man City a new transfer priority this summer

Manchester City's upcoming summer looked as though it would be a stress-free affair.

Out of the seven summer transfer windows Pep Guardiola has overseen at City so far, only three have seen a big influx of players arrive. His first as he looked to shape his new squad, his second when £130million was spent on full-backs alone after an underwhelming first campaign and last year.

Winds of change swept through the Etihad 12 months ago as out went four players who had played such an integral role in the club's recent success and in came Erling Haaland, who would herald a new style of play altogether. It was a departure from how Guardiola, who prefers gradual tweaks rather than wholesale changes, usually does things.

So this summer, fresh off a remarkable Treble triumph, looked likely to be a return to normalcy. Midfield was the true area of concern given the ageing legs in the middle of the park and a new recruit would become a necessity if Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva or both departed.

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The Blues have missed out on the best possible addition in Jude Bellingham to Real Madrid but it isn't much of a blow given the immense talent already at the club. Besides, there are plenty more options out there.

The defence might also have needed a bit of attention depending on the futures of Joao Cancelo and Aymeric Laporte. But given City have coped for so long without a left-back and Laporte has slipped down the pecking order, they don't feel like players who would need replacing urgently.

But, all of a sudden, the backline is looking far more shaky and could soon become not just a big priority but the top priority. It's due to Kyle Walker.

According to The