Josko Gvardiol, Theo Hernandez and other defenders Man City should target this summer to solve full-back problem

Gvardiol is strictly a centre-back. But boy does he have the makings of a perfect utility player for Guardiola.

One of the breakout stars of the 2022 World Cup, the Croatian is physically imposing yet technically brilliant, making him an ideal fit for the Premier League and City.

Guardiola would relish turning him into a full-back that can effectively operate as a midfielder, just as he has done with Phillip Lahm, Joshua Kimmich, Dani Alves and Cancelo in the past.

Another player City will come up against on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old had to fight his way through Germany's lower leagues to earn a move to the Bundesliga with Hoffenheim in 2021 and only needed one season in the top flight to convince Leipzig to shell out €26m (£23m/$28m) for him last summer.

Raum won the under-21 European Championship with Germany in 2021 and the following year broke into the first team, starting all three matches at the World Cup.

Raum is a more traditional full-back than Guardiola has favoured recently: he loves to fly down the wing and put in crosses.

But given City have arguably the best centre-forward on their hands in Erling Haaland, maybe that is what they need.

Guardiola has known about Grimaldo since he was a teenager.

The left-back was breaking into Barcelona's B team in Guardiola's final season with the Catalans and showed impressive ability.

A serious knee injury in 2023 de-railed his progress at Barcelona but he has re-built his career with Benfica and has been one of the Portuguese league leaders' most important players in what is proving a rip-roaring season.

The timing could be right for their paths to cross again.

Gaya has been one of the most consistent full-backs in La Liga since making his Valencia debut in 2014 and is Spain's first-choice left-back.

He has resisted offers from the likes of Real Madrid in the past and last year signed a new contract with his boyhood club until 2028.

But with Valencia in serious danger of relegation, Gaya could surely be tempted away to a move to the Premier League and his club, who sold rising star Ferran Torres to City in 2020, could sure do with the money.

If Guardiola is looking for a dynamic full-back with pace to burn, he should look no further than the 19-year-old.

Balde has been outstanding in his first full season in Barca's first team, usurping Jordi Alba as Xavi's preferred left-back and contributing four assists for La Liga's leaders.

The Catalans are trying to tie Balde to a new contract (his current deal runs out in 2024) but are set to face another battle with La Liga over its strict financial controls to get it over the line.

And City would be in as strong a position as any club to pounce.

The Dutchman has been one of the outstanding full-backs in the Bundesliga since joining Leverkusen from Celtic in 2021.

He has seven goals and nine assists in all competitions this season, including seven goal contributions in his last eight appearances.

But City signing Frimpong would mean swallowing their pride, as he spent nine years in their academy before leaving for Celtic in 2019 without having played for the first team.

On the flipside, he already knows the club and city of Manchester inside out, so would have few troubles reintegrating.

The France left-back has been one of the most influential players in Milan's resurgence and has all the qualities Guardiola looks for in a full-back.

He loves to attack and has eight goal contributions this season but is also comfortable supporting the midfield and holding possession for long periods.

The Uruguayan is more renowned for his defensive capabilities than his attacking attributes and would relish the physical battles of the Premier League.

After four seasons in La Liga with Getafe, he has shone in his first campaign in Serie A, helping Napoli storm towards the title and impressing in their Champions League matches too, including their 4-1 rout of Liverpool at the start of the group stage.

The France defender would have little trouble adapting to City's style of play after spending four seasons with Bayern.

He is also able to play as a centre-back or at full-back and his versatility is likely to appeal to Guardiola, who is always thinking of different ways to set up his side.

The 26-year-old is reportedly keen to leave the Bundesliga champions and has little more than a year left on his current contract, putting him within City's grasp.