EPL: You’ve lost Mahrez, Gundogan – Ferdinand names player Man City should sign as De Bruyne’s replacement

Renowned Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand, has pinpointed Lucas Paquetá of West Ham United as the ideal candidate for Manchester City to consider signing temporarily as a replacement for their playmaker, Kevin De Bruyne.

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, recently confirmed De Bruyne’s absence from action for a span of three to four months due to an ongoing hamstring issue.

In light of this predicament, Ferdinand is of the belief that Man City should seek to acquire Paquetá during this summer’s transfer window to bolster their goal-scoring potential, especially in the wake of the departures of Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan.

Voicing his concerns, Ferdinand expressed his apprehension for City, stating, “As a City supporter, this must be heart-wrenching news. The situation is worrisome. They must identify someone capable of netting goals. With Mahrez, Gundogan, and now Kevin de Bruyne out of the picture, they’ve lost three major figures who significantly contribute to goals and assists. We’ll see who they opt for. My suggestion is Paquetá.”

By highlighting Paquetá as his recommended choice, Ferdinand underlined the urgency for City to address their diminished attacking prowess. He elaborated, “The situation necessitates immediate action. The absence of these pivotal players leaves a void that must be filled. In my view, Paquetá stands out as a viable solution.”