Manchester City are set to offer left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko a new deal at the Etihad, after the Ukraine international impressed so much throughout the second part of the Sky Blues record-breaking treble-winning campaign.
The 22-year-old, who saw appearances at City limited before the injury to £52million full-back Benjamin Mendy, has made the left-back berth his own in recent months, with many City fans saying that they do not want manager Pep Guardiola to spend big on his replacement over the summer.
Leicester City's Ben Chilwell had been earmarked as the Cityzens top transfer target, but it now looks as though trust will be placed in Zinchenko, with Mendy also expected to be given another chance to shine following a disappointing injury-ravaged two year spell in Manchester. The France international suffered a torn ACL in his debut season in the Premier League and was ruled out for the majority of last term due to a nasty meniscus injury.
Mendy has made just 17 appearances for City in two seasons and although he is a player of real quality when fit, his ability to stay injury-free is cause for concern for a side competing at the very top level, challenging for every single trophy each season.
Zinchenko was drafted in initially as cover last season, having previously spent the entirety of his playing career in midfield prior to joining Manchester City in 2016. He gained valuable first-team experience on loan in Holland with PSV during the 2016-17 campaign, and has now been transformed into an accomplished full-back who still possesses an abundance of quality while getting forward and joining the attack.
The 22-year-old registered three assists in 14 league appearances for City last season, as the club wrote their name in the history books by becoming the first side to win the domestic treble (Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup). He featured a further five times in the Champions League, registering two more assists and also managed one goal in six EFL Cup appearances for City, proving himself as an established member of the first-team squad.
Although Guardiola may not be looking to bring in any reinforcements in the left-back area, he is reportedly looking to strengthen up the opposing side of the defence at right-back. Kyle Walker looked shaky for large parts of last season, while it is understood that Brazil international Danilo is becoming increasingly fed up with his lack of playing time at the Etihad.
The 27-year-old made just 11 league starts for the Premier League champions last season and is currently being linked with a move away from the north west - Inter Milan are thought to be interested in capturing his signature this summer.
