Pep Guardiola confirms Manchester City's search for new left back amid Benjamin Mendy concerns

Mendy, City’s first-choice left back, only returned to full training this week after undergoing knee surgery in November

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Manchester City are looking to sign a left back, though any new arrival is unlikely to join in the January transfer window.

Benjamin Mendy, City’s first-choice left back, only returned to full training this week after undergoing knee surgery in November.

The £49million France international also missed the majority of last season with a serious knee ligament injury and concerns over his fitness may force Guardiola into the market.

City’s priority this summer will be an alternative to holding midfielder Fernandinho, though the Guardiola confirmed on Friday that the club also wants to strengthen at left back.

“We survived well last season, this season too, but we are thinking about that, yeah,” Guardiola revealed.

“I cannot assure you as I’m delighted with the players I have and at the end of the season we are going to decide. But we are going to look at both options [holding midfield and left back] on the table.”

City have been heavily linked with Leicester City’s young left-back Ben Chilwell, while the likes of Real Betis’ Junior Firpo and Napoli’s Faouzi Ghoulam have also been the subject of speculation.

Guardiola also insisted that he is happy with Mendy’s attitude in training and around the club, despite the 24-year-old arriving late to training in September.

“He trains incredibly well,” the City manager said. “[Injury] happens. Sometimes it happens. Hopefully this will be the last time.”

Meanwhile, in the search for a holding midfielder, Guardiola revealed that City have whittled the talent pool down to “three or four” targets.

“I think we need a guy with physicality, quick in the head and the reading of spaces to attack. The more things he can do, the better,” he said.

“It’s not easy to find one player who can do everything, the club and agent... we will see. We’ve seen many, there are three or four we are looking at, searching for that position.”