As the Premier League season draws closer to its tumultuous climax once again, the summer transfer rumours have begun to fly around once more.

The managerial merry-go-round, random player sightings up and down the country and tenuous links player being made always cause for another exciting summer ahead for football fans across Europe.

Drama and controversy is never far away during the transfer window as the top clubs all compete to sign the best talents in world football, often for eye-watering sums of money.

With Pep Guardiola’s side sat in third place and looking to cement their place in next season’s Champions League, the Citizens boss will already be forward planning for next season.

Having struggled more defensively this season, very rarely looking convincing in their defensive duties, here are just five ‘potential’ summer signings that could be good for the Blues in their pursuit of Premier League and European glory next year…

Jordan Pickford (Sunderland)

A controversial choice for some, the Sunderland shot stopper has largely impressed since making his first-team debut at the start of 2016, after injury ruled out first choice goalkeeper Vito Mannone.

Since his introduction to the side, Pickford has grown in stature and become a regular for the relegation-threatened Black Cats.

With City’s Claudio Bravo underwhelming in his first season in English football, and the return of Joe Hart looking increasingly unlikely, Pep could turn to the young England Under-21 international.

Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

Whilst not a household name, and by far the perfect article, Joshua Kimmich is one of the brightest young prospects in Europe at the moment.

The young German can play at full-back, centre-back and midfield, providing a diverse range of options for any manager.

With Guardiola giving the young 22-year-old his break last season, Kimmich has seen his playing time limited under Carlo Ancelotti, having barely featuring in the last few games under the new boss.

Could Pep lure him away from the German champions and bring him to Manchester?

Virgil van Dijk (Southampton)

Southampton’s Van Dijk is a name that has been circulating the club for the last 12 months, and rightly so in my opinion.

The talented Dutch defender is still only 25 and has shown he has real Premier League pedigree with some outstanding displays over the previous 18 months.

Despite having his 2016-17 season cut short in January through an ankle injury, Van Dijk has shown his defensive qualities, alongside a fantastic ‘ball-playing’ ability, which is sure to interest and excite Guardiola, who could yet mould the Dutch international into one of the best centre-backs in Europe.

Benjamin Mendy (AS Monaco)

Guardiola and his team will already know a lot about Mendy as the 22-year-old defender was the architect of two of Monaco’s goals in their 3-1 victory against the Blues last week, knocking the Citizens out of Europe’s elite competition.

A young, fast and attacking full-back, Mendy offers City a box-to-box defender, something which has been lacking in recent years.

With Clichy ageing and Kolarov being moved to centre-back, City are in need of a young, new left-back and the Frenchman, along with his wicked left foot, could just be the answer.

Fabinho (AS Monaco)

Again, all at Manchester City will be aware of just how good this guy is.

Having played in both legs against City in the Champions League, the Brazilian Fabinho showed his quality on the big stage, linking up with the aforementioned Mendy to score Les Rouges et Blancs’ second goal of the night.

Fabinho, who is still only 23, has played his career largely at right-back, a target area of improvement for City.

However, this season Fabinho has been playing deployed as a defensive midfielder where he has shone, much to City’s Champions League demise.

A fast, strong, powerful player, Fabinho could prove to be an excellent addition to Guardiola’s squad next season.