Is it down to a choice of two midfielders for Manchester City to sign in January? | OneFootball

It is becoming clear that Manchester City are highly likely to move for a midfielder in January. The loss of Rodri for the season has amplified this need. Also, given the fact that City faces such a heavy schedule, it does seem that Pep Guardiola needs another midfielder added to his squad. It isn’t a knock on City’s current midfielders, but without Rodri, Manchester City does appear to be a midfielder short.

Now a new report gives the impression that the world champions have narrowed their hunt down to two players. Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi and Atalanta’s Ederson appear to be City’s targets. In my opinion either player would be perfect for Manchester City’s midfield.

Pete O’Rourke has reported for Football Insider that Manchester City are weighing up moves for Martin Zubimendi and Ederson. Furthermore, O’Rourke adds that Zubimendi has a £50 million release clause in his current contract. O’Rourke adds that Atalanta would command a sizable transfer fee to part ways with Ederson in January. Lastly, O’Rourke shares his belief that a deal for Zubimendi may be easier to complete for the world champions due to the release clause in his contract.

Either Ederson or Zubimendi would be perfect for Manchester City’s midfield but City can’t afford to waste time in January.

As players both Ederson and Martin Zubimendi would be quality additions to City’s midfield. Both play a similar role, albeit in different ways. If the world champions were to add either player their midfield would have a more complete look. It would solve City’s issues of a lack of a natural number 6 if they could complete a deal for Zubimendi or Ederson in January.

Pete O’Rourke does raise a valid point. A deal for Zubimendi is easier to complete in January due to the release clause in his contract. Atalanta aren’t under any immediate pressure to sell arguably their most important player. It would likely take a sizable transfer fee, and some tough negotiations for City to sign Ederson from Atalanta. Given the fact that the January transfer window is only open for a month perhaps City don’t have time for such a scenario to play out.

Given that Zubimendi has a release clause in his current contract it would only be a matter of Manchester City convincing Zubimendi to move to the Etihad. That isn’t a formality based on the fact that Zubimendi turned down a move to Liverpool last summer as per O’Rourke’s report. But if they do it’s just a simple matter of paying the release clause to complete the deal without any protracted transfer negotiations.

It appears to be down to a choice of two midfielders for Manchester City to add to their squad in January based on O’Rourke’s report. Either Martin Zubimendi or Ederson would be fine additions to Pep Guardiola’s squad. But a move for Zubimendi appears easier to complete. Perhaps the Spanish international will be the player City target in just a few months time.