Reports this week have suggested that Chelsea are interested in signing Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake, although MEN Sport understands City have no intention of letting the Dutch international leave this summer.
Ake, who City signed from Bournemouth for £41m in 2020, is one of just four senior central defenders in Pep Guardiola's squad. Should he leave then City would be left looking a little light in that department, a situation the club are not prepared to put themselves in.
While Guardiola's usual policy is to not stand in the way of players who want to leave, City will not let Ake go unless Chelsea offer at least £50m - they are believed to currently be only offering £30m - and the Blues can line up a replacement this summer.
ALSO READ: Man City transfer stance on selling Nathan Ake to Chelsea
The ideal scenario would be that Ake stays, but anything is possible. If City are to line up a replacement and let Ake go, there are a few options that would not break the bank, something City would not want to do for a rotation player.
Robin Le Normand
Real Sociedad centre-back Robin Le Normand enjoyed a fine season for the Basque side, so much so that he was included in many pundits' teams of the season.
While the 25-year-old Frenchman is right-footed - there are few quality left-footed centre-backs around at the moment, making it hard to find a like-for-like replacement for Ake - he is capable of playing on the left side of central defence.
He is accomplished on the ball as opposed to just the purely defensive side of the game, completing 89.8 per cent of his passes over the past year. Like Ake he is also good in the air, ranking in the top 88th percentile of central defenders in Europe's top five leagues for percentage of aerial duels won.
Le Normand has two years remaining on his current contract at Real Sociedad.
Inigo Martinez
Spain international Inigo Martinez is a left-footed, left-sided centre-back, and with just one year left on his Athletic Club de Bilbao contract, he could be signed for a knock-down fee.
As a full Spain international the 31-year-old is considerably more experienced than Le Normand, although Martinez is perhaps slightly lacking in the technical department.
Luis Enrique sees enough technical ability in him to play for the national team, but Martinez is more of a traditional body-on-the-line defender than other options out there.
Duje Caleta-Car
Marseille defender Duje Caleta-Car has been linked with the likes of Liverpool and West Ham in recent times, and his excellent on-the-ball abilities would make him a shrewd buy for City.
While the Croatia international is right-footed, he often plays on the left side of the central pairing, something made possible by his excellent understanding of the game and confidence on the ball.
Compared to other central defenders in Europe's top five leagues, Caleta-Car ranks in the top 93rd percentile for pass completion (92.1 per cent) and 98th for switches, a key component of City's build-up play.
The 25-year-old is yet to commit his future to the French club beyond 2023, so he too could be available for a very reasonable fee.
Milan Skriniar
Inter Milan's Milan Skriniar represents a more ambitious target, largely because he is someone that Chelsea are keen on signing as part of their defensive rebuild.
His contract also expires next June, but with interest from the likes of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham, a bidding war could ensue.
The Slovakia international is also more accustomed to playing in a back-three, so transitioning back into a back-four might not be the smoothest of processes. In the prime of his career at 27 years old, he may not be content with playing a rotation role at the Etihad Stadium.
READ NEXT:
Man City explain goalkeeper signing with Zack Steffen set to leave
Man City confirm departure of U23s captain on free transfer to Burnley
Man City transfer latest, Raheem Sterling to Chelsea, contract extensions and Nathan Ake updates
