Pep Guardiola wants a midfielder on priority and has now set sights on Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi, who has a €60 million clause.
According to Fichajes, Manchester City have set sights on Martin Zubimendi ahead of the January window. Pep Guardiola intends to sign a new midfielder on priority, and the Real Sociedad star may seem like an achievable target for the Premier League champions.
There are many concerns with this Manchester City squad during the current season, with the club now languishing in fifth spot on the table. Much has been spoken about the problems they have in their midfield, with the club failing to sign some high-profile names during the summer.
That included Arsenal star Declan Rice, who preferred to sign for the Gunners in a record deal then. Then there were rumours about an approach for Jude Bellingham, who ended up at his dream club, Real Madrid, which may have forced Manchester City into bringing alternative options.
Mateo Kovacic arrived, but so did Matheus Nunes, with neither star managing to perform at expected levels for Guardiola this season. Now, there are persistent indications that Manchester City will look to sign a new midfielder imminently.
Martin Zubimendi emerged as a target for the Cityzens, with the Spaniard already on the list of many clubs, including Barcelona. The Spanish giants may not have the capacity to sign him imminently, considering Real Sociedad have a €60 million release clause in his contract.
It does make it tricky for a club like Barcelona and many others in the process. Bayern Munich are also in the hunt for Zubimendi, and they will bring competition to Manchester City. The big problem for Guardiola is to convince the 24-year-old that he will get a regular place, as some other clubs can.
The presence of Rodri might make it a bit more difficult for Zubimendi to understand where he fits in Manchester City’s system. Now there’s a big decision on his hands to make, as a move to the Treble winners might have a major appeal after all.
Moreover, Manchester City will have no problems paying for the €60 million-rated star, as Guardiola could finally land the powerful midfielder he so much craves.
Let him come to the champions
Now that’s what I want to hear, cover for Rodri. Four or five games without Rodri, all defeats. We need to rest Rodri from time to time.