Former Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips says Matthijs de Ligt is a perfect replacement for outgoing captain Vincent Kompany.
The legendary captain will depart the club this summer to become Anderlecht's player-manager, and Kompany was given a perfect send-off at City's end-of-season parade to celebrate winning the domestic treble.
But attentions must turn to finding a replacement to partner Aymeric Laporte at centre-back.
John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi will both feel they are capable of doing the job, but Pep Guardiola has preferred to rotate his central defenders at City and is likely to search for a replacement.
And Wright-Phillips says Guardiola should look no further than Matthijs de Ligt, who is set to leave Ajax this summer.
He told 888sport: “I wouldn’t say there are big names coming in but the club definitely needs some big characters because Vinny Kompany is a big character both on and off the pitch. He is going to be almost impossible to replace.
"But if you can start off by replacing him on the field then I’d love to see De Ligt at Manchester City.
"After watching him play this year and especially being so young I think him and Laporte would be a great team.
“People will try and take advantage because it’s Manchester City but considering what he’s worth and capable of City should keep going for him.
"I’m not saying £180m or something stupid like that but I’d like to see him there because he’s such a good player.”
City are reportedly interested in De Ligt, who is favourites to join Barcelona. Manchester United are also linked with his signature.
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