According to a report by Daily Star, Manchester City are interested in signing Lyon midfielder Tanguy Ndombele. The two teams will come face-to-face in their opening Champions League clash, meaning it will present the Sky Blues with the opportunity to inspect him up-close.
Ndombele, 21, is a defensive midfielder who started his career with French club Amiens. Lyon secured a season-long loan deal for him last year, with an option to buy him permanently in the summer. But ever since his arrival at Park Olympique Lyonnais, Ndombele has exceeded expectations of the Lyon faithful.
The midfielder made 35 appearances in the Ligue 1 last season, helping the club finish 3rd in the table. Across these 35 games, he completed 89% of his passes which also included 49 key passes and 6 assists. But his attacking stats were not the only thing that stood out.
Ndombele’s defensive performances in the centre of the park were one of the most important factors that helped Lyon qualify for the Champions League. He completed 15 tackles and made 15 interceptions and 6 clearances.
Apart from his imposing performances in the league, he impressed in the Europa League as well, registering a solitary goal and assist. Once again, he was Lyon’s midfield linchpin.
Ndombele, despite his young age, has an admirable positional sense and his footballing brain is truly beyond his tender age. The French U21 international was tied to Lyon on a long-term contract in the summer but if City set their eye on a target, they are more than capable of signing them.
The move makes sense for Pep Guardiola and Manchester City as well. Although City walked to the league title last season, one of their star players, Fernandinho, is now 33 years of age.
Young Ndombele would provide squad depth in the central midfield position and will also have the opportunity to learn the trade from Fernandinho. If Pep Guardiola wants to build a legacy at the club, he must plan for the future and make signings accordingly.
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According to Manchester Evening News, Ndombele is also on the radar of a number of clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Juventus. Hence, if City are to get their man, they need to act fast in the next transfer window.
