Manchester City are considering keeping Oleksandr Zinchenko next season after missing out on the signing of Jorginho, Metro.co.uk understands.
Chelsea hijacked Citys move for the Italy international and completed a £57m for the midfielder alongside the appointment of Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri.
City were interested in Brazil international Fred before he joined Manchester United but prioritised a move for Jorginho and felt a deal for the midfielder would go through just 72 hours before he signed for Chelsea.
Such was the clubs confidence that a deal for Jorginho was all but complete, City had invested little time in a secondary option and in any case Guardiola feels his squad is strong enough to wait for the right player.
Benjamin Mendys knee injury last season meant Fabian Delph was forced into an unfamilliar left-back role for the remainder of the campaign and the England international was being earmarked for a similar role again next term.
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However, Jorginhos decision to join Chelsea has forced Guardiola into a rethink and Metro.co.uk understands that could scupper Zinchenkos chances of leaving the Etihad this summer.
City had agreed a £16million deal with Wolves for the Ukrainian and both Newcastle and Fulham were both considering matching the offer for the 21-year-old.
But with options thin on the ground in terms of signing a new midfielder, Metro.co.uk understands Guardiola is considering keeping Zinchenko as back-up for Mendy in a move that would allow Delph to move back into his favoured midfield role.
More: Manchester City FC
The Ukraine international made 16 Premier League appearances last summer and was expected to be left out of Citys pre-season tour squad.
However, Guardiola opted to take the youngster on the tour as the uncertainty continues over the clubs pursuit for a new midfielder.
MORE: David De Gea and Nemanja Matic to join Manchester Uniteds pre-season tour
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Manchester City are considering keeping Oleksandr Zinchenko next season after missing out on the signing of Jorginho, Metro.co.uk understands.
Chelsea hijacked Citys move for the Italy international and completed a £57m for the midfielder alongside the appointment of Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri.
City were interested in Brazil international Fred before he joined Manchester United but prioritised a move for Jorginho and felt a deal for the midfielder would go through just 72 hours before he signed for Chelsea.
Such was the clubs confidence that a deal for Jorginho was all but complete, City had invested little time in a secondary option and in any case Guardiola feels his squad is strong enough to wait for the right player.
Benjamin Mendys knee injury last season meant Fabian Delph was forced into an unfamilliar left-back role for the remainder of the campaign and the England international was being earmarked for a similar role again next term.
Advertisement Advertisement
However, Jorginhos decision to join Chelsea has forced Guardiola into a rethink and Metro.co.uk understands that could scupper Zinchenkos chances of leaving the Etihad this summer.
City had agreed a £16million deal with Wolves for the Ukrainian and both Newcastle and Fulham were both considering matching the offer for the 21-year-old.
But with options thin on the ground in terms of signing a new midfielder, Metro.co.uk understands Guardiola is considering keeping Zinchenko as back-up for Mendy in a move that would allow Delph to move back into his favoured midfield role.
More: Manchester City FC
The Ukraine international made 16 Premier League appearances last summer and was expected to be left out of Citys pre-season tour squad.
However, Guardiola opted to take the youngster on the tour as the uncertainty continues over the clubs pursuit for a new midfielder.
MORE: David De Gea and Nemanja Matic to join Manchester Uniteds pre-season tour
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