Manchester City’s Targeting Top Defenders from Brentford and Bayer Leverkusen

Manchester City are already planning moves for new defenders in the 2025 summer transfer market, and reports suggest they’ve set their sights on talents from both Brentford in the Premier League and Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. This early activity hints at the club’s intent to bolster its squad and possibly prepare for a future without manager Pep Guardiola, whose contract ends at the end of this season.

Guardiola has yet to decide if he’ll extend his stay at Manchester City. Although some close to the club are hopeful he’ll sign a one-year extension, the manager himself hasn’t made any official announcement. Despite this uncertainty, Guardiola is still involved in the team’s transfer planning, which could be a positive sign that he may choose to stay for another season.

Sepp van den Berg (Brentford): One of the defenders City are reportedly eyeing is Brentford’s Sepp van den Berg. Guardiola first noticed van den Berg in a 2021 pre-season game while the young defender was on loan at Preston North End from Liverpool. Although he recently joined Brentford, City might consider him as a longer-term addition in 2025.

Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen): Another target is Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong, a right-back with an existing connection to Manchester City. A former City academy graduate, Frimpong has developed his career in Germany and now has Guardiola’s attention once again. Guardiola is reportedly a fan of Frimpong’s energy and attacking style, making him an ideal fit for City’s system.

In addition to these player plans, City’s transfer department is set for a major change. Txiki Begiristain, who has served as the club’s Director of Football for over a decade, will leave his role in 2025. During his tenure, Begiristain helped oversee City’s rise to domestic and European success.

His successor is already lined up: Hugo Viana, Sporting Lisbon’s current Director of Football. Viana will join City as part of a Portuguese duo alongside Ruben Amorim, the recently appointed Manchester United manager. Viana’s arrival is expected to bring fresh ideas and a strong network of contacts, which could impact City’s approach to signing players from Portugal and other European leagues.