Kane, Grealish, Haaland - 5 players Manchester City should sign

City begin Premier League title defence with trip to Tottenham

Harry Kane - Only enhanced his reputation by captaining England to the final of Euro 2020. Has a contract with Tottenham that runs to the summer of 2024 but believes an agreement exists to let him leave in pursuit of top honours. Either way, City or any other club wanting to prise the Spurs striker away is going to have to pony up a fee upwards of €120 million. City would prefer a cash-plus-player deal, with Gabriel Jesus or Raheem Sterling potentially making way.

Jack Grealish - Didn't have the same impact as Kane at Euro 2020 but has proved over the past two seasons at Aston Villa that he is ready to make the next step up. Grealish's ability to retain the ball would be less needed in a team that cherishes ball dominance, allowing him to become a more direct attacking threat off the left. Villa will hold out for a high fee for their captain, with Grealish valued at €65 million.

Lucas Digne - A thigh injury put paid to the Frenchman's Euro 2020 minutes after entering the field against Portugal. Consistently one of Everton's best performers since joining from Barcelona. With Benjamin Mendy's future in doubt and City having used a plethora of midfielders as makeshift left-backs to cover the team's biggest deficiency over the past few years, Digne would represent a solid purchase.

Erling Haaland - Few players have had the sort of impact on the Bundesliga as the giant Norwegian. Haaland, 20 averages almost a goal a game at Borussia Dortmund, and is coveted by a host of clubs including Chelsea and Real Madrid. He will be available for around £70m next summer due to a release clause in his contract. One stumbling block could be Haaland's agent. According to Sky in Germany, Mino Raiola is asking for a commission of €40m as part of any deal for the Dortmund striker.

Denzel Dumfries - The marauding Dutchman put Europe's top clubs on red alert with some scintillating displays at Euro 2020. The Netherlands right-back, 25, displayed the energy and tenacity City fans have long associated with Kyle Walker, whom Dumfries would find tough to dislodge from City's rearguard. However, the PSV Eindhoven defender seems destined for a move to a top club, and at €16 million would represent great value in the transfer market.

Manchester City begin their Premier League title defence with a trip to Tottenham Hotspur on August 15, but it remains to be seen if Harry Kane will take part - and which team colours he might turn up in.

New Spurs manager Nuno Espirito Santo used his first press conference to issue a 'hands off' warning to potential suitors, saying Kane is "our player".

Striker Kane, 27, is said to believe he has a gentlemen's agreement with chairman Daniel Levy allowing him to leave the club this summer.

City have been linked heavily with the England captain, who is currently enjoying a well-earned rest following his exploits at Euro 2020.

Pep Guardiola is a known-admirer of the player, and has previously referred to Spurs as "the Harry Kane team".

City cantered to the Premier League title last term but came up short against Chelsea in the Champions League final. Kane could be the final piece to complete the puzzle.

Will he add to his 221 Tottenham goals, or will Kane continue his pursuit of Alan Shearer's Premier League goal record of 260 - Kane has 166 - in City's colours of a City?

Above is a photo gallery of five potential City recruits ahead of the 2021/22 season.