€100m star keen on Man City as Guardiola draws up midfield shortlist

Manchester City are determined to sign a midfielder in January and have drawn up a star-studded shortlist, according to a report.

Pep Guardiola’s side are struggling massively without Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. The Spaniard was the glue that held Man City together but his season-ending ACL injury has doomed the reigning Premier League champions to mediocrity.

Man City suffered another chastening defeat midweek as they were beaten 2-0 by Juventus in the Champions League, leaving them languishing in 22nd in the competition’s standings.

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It is abundantly clear that the Manchester giants will have to act in January to arrest this uncharacteristic slump, although it may be too little too late as far as the Premier League title is concerned unless Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal suffer an almighty collapse.

Man City’s midfield shortlist

According to The Times, Man City are looking at a host of midfield options, with Florian Wirtz and Bruno Guimaraes at the top of Guardiola’s shortlist.

However, Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Wirtz will be difficult to attain. In addition to the German side’s expected reluctance to sell, there is also the high-profile interest of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

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Newcastle, too, are naturally unwilling to sell Guimaraes, but the outlet claims that the player would be keen on making the switch to the Etihad despite repeatedly articulating how settled he is at St. James’ Park.

Additionally, Man City are looking at Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi, highly-rated Atalanta midfielder Ederson as well as Crystal Palace youngster Adam Wharton.

Guardiola and new sporting director Hugo Viana are expected to oversee a significant squad overhaul in 2025 and as many as six players could be added over the next two transfer windows, with City determined to make their ageing side significantly younger.