Manchester City are believed to be interested in PSV Eindhoven full-back Jetro Willems, as a potential replacement for French defender Gael Clichy. The Metro believes the Eredivisie player is a priority target for Roberto Mancini, who is set for a large-scale summer revamp of his first team.

Jetro Willems (L)
Reuters

City have been poor in the defence of their championship and are presently 15 points behind leaders and arch-rivals Manchester United. The two clubs face off at Old Trafford on Monday night but with only eight games left in the campaign, it is unlikely the Etihad club can retain their title.

The 19-year-old Willems is a left-back and rated as one of the best young players, in that position, in the world. City's present first choice, Clichy, is 27-years-old and has not had the best of seasons so far. Mancini also has Serbian international Aleksandar Kolarov as an option but he too has had a less than impressive season.

In addition, interest in Clichy from Ligue 1 leaders Paris St Germain (PSG), among other French clubs, could persuade Mancini to cash in on the France international and bring Willems into the first team immediately. The teen already has significant experience at all levels, having played for Eindhoven in the league and in European competition and having represented his country at the 2011 FIFA U17 World Cup.

It is believed Eindhoven, although reluctant to allow Willems to leave, might do business for £6m. The Metro believes a swap deal is also possible, with young John Guidetti moving to the Netherlands on a transfer. The 20-year-old Swedish international is very highly rated in the Dutch league, after 20 goals in 23 games last season, while on loan to Feyenoord.

Willems is contracted to Eindhoven until 2016 and was also linked by the Express to Arsenal and Manchester United, although that was in November last year.

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