Manchester City are not planning to launch a bid to sign Sporting left-back Nuno Mendes this summer as they prioritise a centre-forward in the transfer window.
The Blues have been heavily linked with Mendes this year, who has impressed in a league where Bruno Fernandes and Ruben Dias have recently come from and become some of the standout players in the Premier League.
City have struggled at left-back in recent years, and Ajax defender Nicolas Tagliafico was one of the options they looked at last summer before keeping Aleks Zinchenko. With the Ukrainian enjoying some of the best form of his career this season, a buyer unlikely to be found for Benjamin Mendy in the current market and Joao Cancelo, Nathan Ake and Aymeric Laporte also able to play in that position, it is unlikely that substantial money will be allocated to the position
The priority for strengthening Pep Guardiola's side for next season remains signing a marquee forward. The decision not to award record scorer Sergio Aguero a new contract was a sign of the club's confidence for the window, although top target Erling Haaland is coveted by a number of top clubs across Europe including Champions League final opponents Chelsea.
In midfield, Jack Grealish is another name of interest. The Aston Villa skipper was not considered earlier in the season but could come into contention should one of City's current midfielders or forward decide to leave in the summer. Grealish would not come cheap but that fee could be offset by the sale that would open up a move for him, and the England international is considered to be attainable should the opportunity arise.
"We prepare the last games of the season, and after we decide for next season which guys we follow and which guys leave to play in another place," Guardiola said on Friday.
