The video will start in 8 Cancel

Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter by email with the day's key headlines and transfer news Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Manchester City’s search for a new centre-back is being complicated by the fact that the Premier League champions already have too many foreign players.

Pep Guardiola’s now has 18 “non-homegrown” players in his squad – one more than Premier League regulations allow.

And that’s why City were looking to bring England international Harry Maguire to the Etihad – until Leicester slapped a £90million asking price in the defender’s head.

As Sunday Mirror Sport revealed last month, the Blues will look at alternative targets if the Foxes refuse to budge on their record valuation.

And that’s why Bournemouth ’s Nathan Ake has now emerged as a potential £40million alternative to Maguire because he would also boost City’s homegrown quota.

(Image: EMPICS SPORT)

The 24-year-old Dutch international meets the criteria because he came though the ranks at Chelsea and spent three years at Stamford Bridge before his 21st birthday.

Ake, who has enhanced his reputation under Eddie Howe, is also wanted by Tottenham .

But City are yet to decide whether to pull the trigger on a bid.

The domestic treble winners re-signed their former Spanish youth-team full-back Angelino from PSV Eindhoven for £5.6million in midweek because he counts as a homegrown player.

But they also paid a club-record £62.8million to land Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri.

(Image: Action Images via Reuters)

That means they now have 18 non-homegrown senior players.

Eliaquim Mangala, the £43million misfit who hasn’t played for the club for 18 months, will be the man to miss the cut if City fail to move the Frenchman on.

Guardiola is already well stocked for central defenders, which is another reason why City won’t be panicked into meeting Leicester demands for Maguire.

Vincent Kompany has left the club, but Aymeric Laporte, John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi remain.

(Image: PA)

Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho and full-back Kyle Walker can also switch to play in central defence.

And big things are expected of Eric Garcia, the 18-year-old Spaniard who made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup victory at Leicester last December.