Manchester City join race to sign World Cup-winning defender

Manchester City are reportedly prepared to tussle it out with Barcelona to acquire the services of Stuttgart defender Benjamin Pavard in the future.

The 22-year-old was a regular for France at right-back during the course of the summer World Cup and he was eventually rewarded with a winners' medal.

Since then, the Frenchman is said to be watched by a number of elite sides including Barcelona but according to L'Equipe, the Citizens are said to have joined the player's pursuit.

Pavard has generally featured for France on the right side of the defence but he has shown his versatility at club level where he has slotted into the heart of the backline.

At present, City don't appear in any urgency to pursue a new defender after their vast spending last summer but Guardiola nevertheless seems to be looking into the future.

Vincent Kompany has been a credible performer for the Citizens over the years but he has had concerns over his fitness which have hampered him in recent seasons.