‘I love his style of play’: Man City Overtake Liverpool and Arsenal In €60m Race For Euro 2024 Winner
Man City are trying to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad in an attempt to preserve what little of the 2024–25 season the Premier League winners has left to rescue.
With his club now sitting fifth in the Premier League standings, 14 points behind league leaders Liverpool, Pep Guardiola is dealing with a problem he has never seen in his managerial career.
In addition, the Man City team was eliminated from the Carabao Cup and is now in danger of losing the Champions League.
Guardiola will probably launch a recruitment campaign during the January transfer window in an attempt to add younger players to his team.
One player who has been connected to City for a number of months is Martin Zubimendi, who will be lured to the Premier League team by the €60 million release clause in his Real Sociedad contract.
The Euro 2024 champion is also a big target for Liverpool, who lost out on the midfield player in the summer when Zubimendi chose to play another season in Spain.
The Merseyside club is currently seen to be behind in the competition for the Spanish international going into the next transfer window, reports Caught Offside.
Manchester City are not expected to cause any concern for La Liga giants Real Sociedad regarding potential moves for their players in the January transfer window.
The Premier League champions are expected to explore potential reinforcements for their depleted squad, acknowledging the need for fresh legs due to injuries, lack of form, and aging players. These issues have led to significant problems, with City winning just two of their last 14 matches across all competitions.
Among the players linked to City are two of the Premier League’s top stars: Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United and Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace. Additionally, Atalanta’s Ederson is reportedly admired, as well as Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, who was also a Liverpool target last summer.
In response to speculation about Zubimendi’s future, Real Sociedad sporting director Roberto Olabe addressed the matter, stating that while there is some concern about the clauses in his contract, Zubimendi’s intentions have always been clear. “Above the clauses are the will,” Olabe said, emphasizing Zubimendi’s commitment to the club. “I don’t foresee any scares in January.”
While the winter transfer market appears closed for both Real Sociedad and Manchester City, City may look to target Zubimendi in the summer transfer window instead. It remains to be seen which options will be pursued as the January window approaches, with City’s recruitment chief, Txiki Begiristain, leading the efforts.
Manchester City will look to strengthen in the January transfer window.
Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan David and Leroy Sane
Manchester City head into the January transfer window actively seeking to add to their squad.
In a break from windows past, the Blues are prepared to strengthen next month to bolster the ranks in a bid to revitalise the season. The weekend win over Leicester City was a welcome one for a City side who have struggled in recent months amid a spectacular fall off in form.
They remain in the top six in the Premier League and are still likely to earn a spot in the play-off round in the Champions League despite having won just two of their half dozen matches thus far. Boss Pep Guardiola is determined to restore City to the summit at home and abroad but accepts he will need a deeper squad to compete on all fronts. That could prompt January activity but it could also see the forward planning that has served City so well in recent years.
A host of big names are out of contract in the summer and from January 1, they are free to negotiate new deals. It means that City could orchestrate free transfer moves for talented stars in the coming days. Here we take a look at three who might catch the eye.
Joshua Kimmich
The 29-year-old remains a key player at Bayern under former City captain Vincent Kompany. But no new deal has been agreed and the Germany international worked with Guardiola in Bavaria.
The two have huge respect for each other and Kimmich is a top talent capable of playing in a variety of positions and offering strength to a City squad that needs more competition, particularly in central midfield.
Jonathan David
The Canada international has scored 101 goals in 209 games for Lille. A healthy 17 of those have arrived this season and he’s now netted 43 in 18 months.
At 24, he is a good age and would offer an alternative option to Erling Haaland up front with City light in the striker department having allowed Julian Alvarez to join Atletico Madrid in the summer. David is a different type of striker to Haaland and is blessed with pace and a goalscorer’s instinct.
Plenty of clubs will be watching with interest to see if the striker pens a new deal in France but he would be a shrewd free transfer signing.
Leroy Sane
A familiar name to City fans given his four years at the Etihad. It would be something of a surprise if Guardiola moved for the 28-year-old but he would represent a proven elite performer available for nothing who could add thrust to a forward line that has struggled a touch this term.
The Germany international has reportedly caught the eye of Arsenal and former City coach Mikel Arteta while Bayern Munich will try and tie him down to fresh terms.
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