This is not fair’ Arsenal and Liverpool desperately wants to sign Manchester City target at all cost – Pep Guardiola 

‘This is not fair’ Arsenal and Liverpool desperately wants to sign Manchester City target at all cost – Pep Guardiola

Pep Guardiola with two insets of Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta

Manchester City have been mentioned as being potentially active in the upcoming January transfer window.

 

Specifically, after Rodri suffered a season-ending injury back in September, this led to Pep Guardiola suggesting a midfielder could be signed in January to replace the Spaniard.

 

With City having several midfield targets for the January transfer window, some behind-the-scenes information has come to light regarding one particular midfielder who has found himself on the Manchester club’s transfer radar in recent weeks.

 

Martin Zubimendi of Spain controls the ball during the Nations League Round 5 match between Denmark against Spain at Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark o…

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Arsenal and Liverpool plotting January bids for Martin Zubimendi

A recent report from Caught Offside has claimed that Liverpool and Arsenal are readying bids of around £50m to sign reported City target Martin Zubimendi in January.

 

However, the report also adds that while Real Sociedad are willing to listen to offers for the midfielder in January, they are looking to get £60m for Zubimendi.

 

What has Zubimendi said about a January transfer move?

Back in October, Zubimendi discussed a January transfer move away from Sociedad amid links with numerous Premier League clubs, saying this on the subject.

 

He said: “There are always rumours but so far, I’ve always thought that the best solution for me is staying at Real Sociedad. I’ve still a lot of things to give to this club, I still want to grow and develop here.”

 

Despite that, it was reported earlier this month that City have “some belief” they can sign Zubimendi in January.

 

In addition to that, it was also claimed that Rodri has briefed City bosses about Zubimendi ahead of the January window, telling them of his qualities.

 

With City losing five games on the bounce ahead of their Champions League match against Feyenoord, which has led to Jamie Carragher pinpointing City’s midfield as their main issue, signing a player like Zubimendi could be how Guardiola rescues his side from a disappointing season.

 

Now that Liverpool and Arsenal are apparently plotting bids for the Spaniard, this could well force the Manchester club into action once the January window opens and making sure they end up landing a deal for Zubimendi.

 

Liverpool are looking to steal a march on Manchester City and compound the champions’ gloom

 

Liverpool manager Arne Slot missed out on his top target in the summer

Liverpool look set to battle Manchester City for one of their midfield targets in January, according to reports from Italy.

 

Pep Guardiola’s side are noticeably light in midfield following an ACL injury ending Ballon d’Or winner Rodri’s season, but they may need to act fast when the window opens to avoid missing out.

 

That’s thanks in part to title rivals Liverpool, who are also in the market for a midfielder, having failed to sign one of their key targets in the summer.

 

Liverpool and Manchester City to do battle over Atalanta midfielder

 

Atalanta midfielder Ederson looks to be attracting a lot of interest heading into the January window

The Reds have recently explored the possibility of a deal in January for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, according to journalist Rudy Galetti.

 

Galetti also confirmed that Manchester United had registered an interest, with City having established their interest for some time.

 

 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola could really do with boost to his midfield numbers this season

Liverpool missed out on a midfield target this summer in Martin Zubimendi, who at one stage appeared to be on his way to Anfield, before snubbing the Merseysiders to stay with Real Sociedad.

 

That sequence of events meant Arne Slot had to reinvent Ryan Gravenberch’s role so that he could become the tempo-setting deeper midfielder Zubimendi was intended to be — an unlikely gig the Dutchman has taken to well.

 

Now, though, it looks like the Reds could turn their attention to Ederson to plug that gap, which will dismay those at the Etihad who had identified the Brazilian to fill in for the injured Rodri and Mateo Kovacic, and counteract Guardiola’s ageing midfield.

 

According to Galetti, Atalanta are understandably not keen to let the 25-year-old go mid-season, but summer bids in excess of €50million may get them to the table.

 

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, for Ederson weighing up his options, City and Liverpool look the most likely landing spots, with United having only recently signed Manuel Ugarte.

 

Both clubs have vacancies for the Brazilian to fill, but City’s need to inject some more youthful energy into their engine room is stark — and any arriving players now have the security of Guardiola’s extended contract.

 

There’s no denying the duo both offer attractive moves, but City arguably have a stronger sell in terms of their coach, recent achievements and current squad vacancy, it may just depend on whether they can get to the negotiations before Liverpool swoop in.

 

Liverpool take on Real Madrid, with Manchester City set to welcome Slot’s former employer Feyenoord, when Champions League action returns this week.

 

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