---
title: "City identify new centre-back target"
canonical: "https://readmancity.com/2016/06/20/city-identify-new-centre-back-target/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jack Brain"
section: "Articles"
published: "2016-06-20T16:51:28Z"
modified: "2016-06-20T16:51:28Z"
---

# City identify new centre-back target

After missing out on number one target Aymeric Laporte last week, Manchester City have moved for Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez.

![Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmancity.com/readmancity/2016/06/487894438.jpg)

City’s pursuit of Laporte ended abruptly as the Frenchman signed a new four-year deal with current club Athletic Bilbao, just days after reports that he had agreed on a deal to move to the Etihad.

However, according to Spanish newspaper [AS](https://metro.co.uk/2016/06/20/manchester-city-boss-pep-guardiola-planning-bid-for-atletico-madrids-jose-gimenez-5956178/), Sky Blues manager Pep Guardiola appears to have identified a new defensive target in Gimenez.

The 21-year-old has impressed under Diego Simeone in the Spanish capital and has already won 21 caps for his country, Uruguay.

![Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmancity.com/readmancity/2016/06/454949500.jpg)

Any deal for Gimenez, however, would require City meeting his €65m (£50m) buy-out clause.

The Citizens have already shown reluctance to spend such a large sum of money this summer, with the club refusing to pay the £65m buy-out clause of Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

![Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmancity.com/readmancity/2016/06/502537804.jpg)

Everton centre-back John Stones also remains on Guardiola’s summer wishlist.