Man City can't forget top transfer priority amid Josko Gvardiol links

Get your contract emojis and expenditure tallies at the ready because as the football season begins to reach its dramatic climax that can mean only one thing: the real main event, the competition everyone actually wants to win, the whole point of the game is just around the corner. The transfer window is nearly upon us.

It's actually still a good few months off yet but you wouldn't think so with the endless reams of speculation and rumours pouring from every corner of the internet and Manchester City are not exempt. There is still a gruelling title race to win, a Champions League to finally claim and an FA Cup to grab but there is already plenty of talk about how Pep Guardiola's squad could look next season.

In recent weeks the talk has specifically squared in on the heart of defence. Speculation suggests Aymeric Laporte is the latest defender, following Joao Cancelo, to become frustrated with his lack of a consistent place in the team and could seek a summer departure. The Spain international has made just 15 appearances this season with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain two of the clubs touted with an interest.

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Laporte has been an excellent signing for the Blues and key to four Premier League trophies, especially last season when he played on despite his knee hanging on by a thread because there were no other defenders left. It would be a huge loss if he was to go but as has been long-established, City won't stand in his way if he wishes to do so as long as the price is right. The price would have to be pretty high, though, given his quality and he still has two years on his contract.

The big-name City are reportedly eyeing up as his potential