Manchester City are currently making significant moves in the transfer market, with their eyes set on bolstering their midfield. A key area of focus for manager Pep Guardiola has been to find a defensive midfielder to replace the injured Rodri, whose absence has been felt by the team throughout the current season. Rodri, considered one of the best in the world in his position, is expected to return from a long-term ACL injury around the end of the current campaign, but until then, City have been struggling without him.
As City seek to close the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool, their pursuit of a reliable backup for Rodri has intensified in the January transfer window. Juventus’ Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz has emerged as a leading candidate for the role. City previously tried to secure a loan deal for Luiz, but Juventus rejected the offer, as it did not include an obligation to purchase the player at the end of the loan spell. Juventus is looking to either sell Luiz outright or loan him with an obligation to buy, following his underwhelming stint at the club after his €50 million transfer from Aston Villa last summer.
Luiz, who was part of City’s setup from 2017 to 2019, never made an appearance for the club during that time, as he spent his two years at Girona on loan. Despite this, City are interested in bringing him back to the Premier League, where his previous experience would make him a fitting temporary solution to their midfield conundrum. However, it remains to be seen if City will meet Juventus’ demands, or if they will look for alternatives. Atalanta’s Ederson Silva is another Brazilian midfielder on their radar. Silva’s profile has caught the attention of City, who view him as a viable option should their pursuit of Luiz falter.
In addition to their interest in Luiz and Silva, City are also exploring the possibility of securing Juventus left-back Andrea Cambiaso. Guardiola is a known admirer of Cambiaso’s versatility, as the player can also operate as a right-back if needed. With City allowing veteran Kyle Walker to leave on loan to AC Milan, the addition of Cambiaso would provide valuable depth in the full-back positions. However, City’s bid for Cambiaso, which is reportedly in the region of €60-65 million, is expected to fall short of Juventus’ €80 million asking price. This could mean that the move is postponed until the summer transfer window.
City have already spent significantly in this window, with the signings of Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis, and Omar Marmoush, all of whom have joined the club for a combined total of around £126 million. These signings highlight City’s determination to strengthen their squad, but the club’s leadership is also mindful of the need to reinforce their midfield options before the conclusion of the season. If City are unable to secure Luiz or Silva, Guardiola may have to rely on players like John Stones or Manuel Akanji in defensive midfield for the time being. Mateo Kovacic, another midfield option for Guardiola, is unable to fully replicate Rodri’s role and would struggle to hold down the position until the Spaniard’s return.
As the transfer window draws to a close, City will have just a few more days to make a decision on their next move. The situation is further complicated by the fact that some of their rivals, such as Chelsea, are also in the market for midfield reinforcements. If City fail to land Luiz, Silva, or Cambiaso, they may turn to other long-term targets, including Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi. Zubimendi is seen as a strong defensive midfield prospect, and while he would be a more expensive option, he could be the ideal player to fill the void left by Rodri in the future.
In conclusion, while Manchester City’s immediate priority is securing a defensive midfielder to bridge the gap until Rodri’s recovery, they are also keeping a close eye on potential reinforcements across multiple positions. With an already significant investment in the squad this month, City must carefully navigate their transfer options and ensure they have the right players to compete for silverware in the second half of the season.
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