Manchester City eye two new midfielders with Premier League centre-back also targeted for transfer | OneFootball

Etihad Stadium officials are eyeing the signing of two new central midfielders, with one primary target emanating from the Spanish game at present.

Pep Guardiola and his Manchester City players are in the midst of a form struggle across competitions at present, falling to 5th in the Premier League and 22nd in the UEFA Champions League heading towards the turn of the year.

Much of those struggles have been put down to fitness and injury problems, with Guardiola left hugely restricted when key players in certain positions are ruled out, whilst ageing legs across the pitch are leaving City overrun against fast, young opposition.

As such, there is now an awareness within the club that significant recruitment plans must be put into action as soon as possible, and somewhat of a ‘rebuild’ is being tipped to take place across the next two transfer markets.

Among the positions to be addressed by Manchester City officials are the central midfield and wide attacking ranks, with the former deemed to be a priority, so much so that more than one new player in the central ranks could arrive.

According to the information of Manchester City insider ‘Tolmie’s Hairdoo’ on X, Etihad Stadium officials want to sign two new midfielders and will aim to convince Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi to leave Spain and subsequently, trigger the release clause in his contract.

Elsewhere on the Manchester City targets list, the source has also revealed that Everton centre-back, Jarrad Branthwaite has a ‘big admirer’ in sporting director, Txiki Begiristain as a central defensive option.

On the subject of Zubimendi, Manchester City may be intrigued by the possibility of luring a player who had previously rejected an opportunity to join Arne Slot’s Liverpool last summer in favour of an extended stay in Spain.

The Spaniard is likely to be accompanied by Newcastle and Brazil’s Bruno Guimaraes as an option in the upcoming markets, with City turning down the chance to sign the player last summer via a £100 million release clause.

It remains to be seen whether City have any other central defensive targets in mind to accompany Jarrad Branthwaite too, with the Englishman also a primary target for Manchester United during the last summer transfer window.