GAEL CLICHY LIKELY TO RETAIN SPOT AHEAD OF NEW SEASON

Gael Clichy is reported to be likely retained for the coming season to help the likely change in central defenders.

Incoming coach Pep Guardiola wants to add fresh legs in the defence as it is a critical area that suffered last season.

With Captain Vincent Kompany out till October, only Nicholas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala are available for the start of the season in August. Guardiola is looking at landing defender John Stones despite the refusal of Everton to sell him. Manchester City lost out on signing Aymeric Laporte from Bilbao. Man City had been tracking the player to join in bolstering the defence but the price tag of 40 million Pounds held City back until he renewed his contract with the club to remain there till 2020. City claimed they were hesitant because of the serious back injury the player is just recovering from.

Chelsea tried to sign John Stones but could not land the defender last season but Guardiola wants to package a bid that would be difficult to refuse. Everton rejected a bid of 38 million Pounds from Chelsea FC last season but a transfer bid of upwards of 40 million Pounds might trigger his release.

Gael Clichy enjoyed a decent season in the last campaign and is believed will get at least a year deal ahead of the coming season, at least to help in the transition wave going on at the Etihad. The competition for the player in Aleksander Kolarov and even Zabaleta are likely to shipped out. Clichy still has his age issues but he is set to likely have a go for the coming season. Though he had a few concerns at the back, the support he gave the attack helped balance his performance.