Man City Boss Pep Guardiola Reportedly Eyeing Shock Swoop for Palace Full-Back With Mendy Sidelined

Crystal Palace full-back Patrick van Aanholt has emerged as a shock target for Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

The Spaniard is keen to purchase cover for injured star Benjamin Mendy, who still has a few months to go in his recovery, and the Eagles' £12m-rated left-sider apparently fits the bill, as reported by The Sun.

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The news will likely come as a shock to some City fans, who have watched Fabian Delph come into his own as a makeshift left-back in Mendy's absence.

Guardiola only has two natural full-backs at his disposal at present, which is likely the reason for his interest in Van Aanholt, who joined Palace from Sunderland back in January of this year.

Van Aanholt, once of Chelsea, was particularly good throughout the Eagles' survival bid last season, but has competition in the form of Jeffrey Schlupp at Selhurst Park, who is in the side at the moment over the Dutchman who has a hamstring injury.

Guardiola has been linked with a number of names to cover former Monaco star Mendy, including Southampton's Ryan Bertrand, Napoli star Faouzi Ghoulam and Espanyol youngster Aaron Martin.

City haven't shown too much sign of weakness in the Frenchman's absence, with Delph stepping in once again against Leicester at the King Power, where they recorded a routine win.