Manchester City may face competition to sign a midfield powerhouse who’d bolster City’s midfield options | OneFootball

It appears to be obvious that Manchester City will look to further strengthen their midfield in the summer. With City’s current midfield getting on in years they do need to add younger players and fresh legs to their engine room. Players such as Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva have shown their age this season.

Another factor in that equation is that Rodri will need time to get back to his best after he recovers from the ACL injury he suffered in September. For me, Manchester City do need to sign a midfielder to lessen the burden on Rodri. New signing Nico is one player that will help in that regard.

One player who does loom as a summer transfer target for Manchester City is Atalanta midfielder Ederson. The Brazilian midfielder would add what City need in midfield and he could ease the burden on Rodri as he works his way back to full fitness. But a new report now indicates that City will face competition to sign Ederson. That isn’t a surprise based on how good a player the Atalanta midfielder is.

Mark Brus has reported for CaughtOffside that Liverpool and Manchester United have also enquired about the availability of Atalanta midfielder Ederson. Furthermore, Brus reports that Liverpool and Manchester United have been told that Ederson would cost around €60 million. Lastly, Brus reports that Manchester City’s interest in the Brazilian midfielder is the most advanced.

It is no surprise to see other clubs interested in Ederson but you do sense that Manchester City must win the race to sign him.

Based on how good Ederson is as a player it is no surprise to see Liverpool and Manchester United join the race to sign him. Mark Brus’ report indicates that City have laid the groundwork to sign one of Atalanta’s most important players. For me, it’s a transfer battle City must win to bolster their midfield.

As mentioned above, Rodri will need time to work his way back to his best after such a lengthy injury layoff. Having a player like Ederson at his disposal would allow Pep Guardiola to ease Rodri back into the fold. Ederson isn’t a number 6, he does his best work as an 8 who could play between both boxes. You pair that attribute with Nico and Phil Foden, for example, and you have a midfield that is powerful and has the attributes necessary to cover the pitch. It would also be a midfield that would pack a punch going forward. Ederson’s goal against Barcelona in the Champions League earlier this season which can be seen below shows what he is capable of.

There is also the possibility of Pep Guardiola employing a midfield of Rodri, Nico and Ederson when Rodri is fully fit. That trio would give City the energy and power in midfield they currently lack. You shift Phil Foden out wide to the right for example and you can see how Manchester City would be able to compete with the more athletic sides they have struggled against this season. It is an idea that has merit when you further analyse the idea.

Summary.

Manchester City may face competition to sign Ederson in the summer. That isn’t a surprise based on how good Atalanta’s midfield powerhouse is as a player. But for me, it’s a battle City must win to further bolster their midfield for the reasons listed above.