City have reportedly made Real Betis defender Natan a leading target as Enzo Maresca looks at further changes to his squad before the transfer window closes.
Transfer journalist Ekrem Konur claims the 25-year-old Brazilian has moved to the top of City’s defensive shortlist following a request from Maresca.
City are also said to have made preliminary contact with the player’s representatives.
The same report puts Betis’s asking price at €40million (£34m) and claims the Spanish club have rejected a €30m offer from Fulham.
Barcelona and Tottenham have also been linked with Natan.
There is, however, no indication yet that City have made a formal bid.
City consider another defensive addition
Natan is a left-footed centre-back who spent last season on loan at Betis before completing a permanent move from Napoli.
His name has been on the market for much of the summer.
Spanish newspaper AS reported last week that Betis valued him at around €30m, rather than the €40m figure now being quoted, and that no formal offers had arrived at that stage.
Natan has also made clear that he is in no rush to leave.
“I have a contract with Betis, and I’m happy here,” he said last week when asked about speculation surrounding his future.
City’s interest would make sense in the context of Maresca’s summer rebuild. Nathan Ake and John Stones have both left, and the City manager said during pre-season that there were still “things we need to do” in the transfer market.
For now, though, this remains interest rather than a deal in motion.
Konur’s report puts Natan high on City’s list. Whether that leads to an offer – and at what price – is the part still to be established.
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