MX23RW : Monday, November 25 16:10:28| >> :60:1137:1137:

Man City transfer news: Two midfielders 'identified' to strengthen squad in January following Rodri, Kovacic injuries

Man City 'identify two midfield targets' ahead of January transfer window
© Imago
Manchester City will reportedly target both Ederson and Martin Zubimendi to strengthen their midfielder in the January transfer window.

Manchester City have reportedly identified Ederson and Martin Zubimendi as top targets to bolster their midfield in January.

Following a fifth straight defeat in all competitions on Saturday, going down to a shock 4-0 home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, Pep Guardiola appears committed to strengthening in the middle of the pitch as soon as possible.

The effect that Rodri's possible season-ending knee injury is having on the team is well-documented, and despite their expensively-assembled squad, City are slightly light on options in midfield.

With Mateo Kovacic also out for the next few weeks, Ilkay Gundogan was partnered by young Rico Lewis in the engine room at the weekend, as City were mauled on home soil.

Therefore, the Daily Mail claim that City are targeting moves for both Zubimendi and Ederson when the transfer window opens in January.

Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi celebrates after scoring on August 18, 2024© Imago

Competition for Zubimendi is high

It appeared as though Zubimendi was all set for a move to Liverpool over the summer, but that transfer fell through, with the midfielder showing his loyalty to his boyhood club Real Sociedad.

However, Fichajes claim that the 25-year-old regrets not making the move, with the club lagging seven points behind the top four in La Liga, and he will seek a departure from Anoeta in the winter window.

The report states that Liverpool will re-enter the race, along with Arsenal, who want to reunite Zubimendi with his Real Sociedad teammate Mikel Merino from last season.

With a £50m release clause in his contract, La Real are said to feel powerless in their attempts at convincing the player to stay again, especially with Zubimendi now a regular in the Spain team.

City looking to add another Ederson to their ranks?

Atalanta's Ederson in action on November 6, 2024© Imago

Also on the City shortlist is Atalanta BC midfielder Ederson, namesake and national compatriot of the current goalkeeper at the Etihad.

The Atalanta man is also 25, and is one of the most important cogs in Gian Piero Gasperini's impressive La Dea side.

Ederson was instrumental in their Europa League miracle last season, thrashing Liverpool at Anfield before ending Bayer Leverkusen's season-long unbeaten run in the final to take the crown in Dublin.

That campaign saw Ederson rewarded with a place in Brazil's Copa America squad, but even though there has been no drop off in form in Bergamo, he has not been recalled since.

This season La Dea are going strong once again, sitting second in Serie A just one point behind leaders Napoli and performing stoutly in the Champions League, placing in ninth at present.

Ederson playing in a slightly different role to Zubimendi, more advanced in midfield, suggests City could try to sign both in January, but neither will come cheap, especially during a window that is notoriously difficult to deal in.

ID:559016:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6544:

Click here for more stories about Martin Zubimendi

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze, Adam Wharton and Cheick Doucoure pictured on September 1, 2024
Read Next:
Man City 'heavily scouting' injured Palace star as January approach readied
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Ipswich TownIpswich121651323-109
19Crystal Palace121561017-78
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!