Man City's Past Bundesliga Recruitment Shows Kai Havertz Would Thrive at the Etihad

Over the last couple of seasons, Kai Havertz has become a highly sought after young prospect, with many of Europe's elite chasing the attacking midfielder, including the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.


With all the speculation surrounding his future, Havertz may not remain a Bayer Leverkusen player for much longer and while the Germany international would be wise to make the move to Manchester, it should be to United's 'noisy neighbours' Manchester City.


Havertz - Bayer Leverkusen

Havertz only has to look at City's track record when it comes to recruiting talent from the Bundesliga for encouragement. Following the Abu Dhabi United Group takeover in 2008, City have looked to the Bundesliga numerous times, signing a number of players from the Germany first division and, for the most part, they've had a lot of success.


Over the years, City have returned to the Bundesliga time and time again in an effort to build a Premier League winning squad and have signed numerous stars. The likes of Vincent Kompany, Edin Džeko, Kevin De Bruyne, Leroy Sané and İlkay Gündoğan have swapped the Bundesliga for the Premier League and each has gone on to forge formidable careers for City.


Kompany was signed for a measly £6m from Hamburg back in 2008, but went on to become one of City's greatest ever captains. The Belgian led the Citizens to four Premier League titles and numerous other domestic trophies during his time at the club and was proof that the Manchester side could unearth some world class gems if they looked into the Bundesliga.


Vincent Kompany won four Premier League titles during 11 years at City

It wasn't until several years later that City's Bundesliga recruitment paid off again, with the deal to bring a then 25-year-old Džeko to the Etihad.


Signed from Wolfsburg in January 2011, Džeko proved a steal at £27m and the Bosnian striker made an immediate impact for City, playing a huge role in the club winning their first ever Premier League title in 2012. He even scored the equalising goal in that game against Queens Park Rangers.


In the years following Džeko's move to Manchester, City have gone back to the Bundesliga only on the odd occasion, but each player brought in has been an absolute success. The next acquisition wasn't until 2015 when the Citizens signed De Bruyne from Wolfsburg and the Belgian has gone on to become one of the best players in the Premier League, despite his previous struggles with Chelsea.


De Bruyne has quickly become one of the best players in the Premier League

The club have shown an acute eye for talent when it comes to the Bundesliga and wasted no time following up on De Bruyne with moves for both Leroy Sané and İlkay Gündoğan in the same 2016 summer transfer window, the pair arriving from Schalke and Borussia Dortmund respectively.


Both men have played pivotal roles in City's Premier League success during their time in England, with Sané becoming one of the hottest young prospects in world football under Pep Guardiola's tutelage.


Havertz needs only to look at City's success in the past to see it's well-trodden path, and there's no better time for him to make the move.


With David Silva departing at the end of the season, there will be a hole that needs filling in the attacking midfield position for City and Havertz is the right man for the job.


With David Silva leaving City in the summer, now is the perfect time for Havertz to join

All things considered, Havertz is a wanted man and although joining United would be is a tempting proposition, City's proven success with Bundesliga talent should provide Havertz with enough proof that the Etihad is where he needs to be if he wants to realise his potential and become the world class talent many are touting him to be.


Failing that, he'll sign for Bayern Munich and be really good for them.



Source : 90min