The January transfer window is looming as a critical juncture in Manchester City’s season. Several areas of Pep Guardiola’s squad are in desperate need of reinforcement. Manchester City are in desperate need of another midfielder or two to strengthen their squad. That move or multiple moves could also help the world champions get their season back on track. Now a new report indicates that Manchester City are stepping up their efforts to potentially sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson.
Mark Brus reports for CaughtOffside that Manchester City are expected to step up their efforts to sign Ederson. Furthermore, Brus reports that the world champions are anticipating rivals Liverpool also making a move for the Brazilian midfielder. It is also included in Brus’ report that Atalanta is reluctant to sell Ederson in January. But it is further reported by Brus that the Serie A leaders have set an asking price of around €60 million for Ederson. Lastly, Brus adds that the Brazilian midfielder is reportedly flattered by Manchester City’s reported interest in signing him.
Is there now a chance that Manchester City could land Ederson next month to bolster their midfield?
I have written on multiple occasions that I believe Ederson is the ideal player for Manchester City to sign next month. Of course, for City to sign him would depend on whether Atalanta is willing to sanction the sale of one of their most important players. The Brazilian midfielder has been a pivotal player for Atalanta this season. They sit top of Serie A and have impressed in the Champions League. Selling a player like Ederson could have a devastating effect on Atalanta’s prospects of claiming the Serie A title.
But as a player, Ederson would immediately add energy and versatility to Manchester City’s midfield. That has been lacking throughout Pep Guardiola’s side’s recent displays. There is also the tantalising prospect of him forming a lethal midfield partnership with Rodri when City’s midfield general returns from injury. That scenario becoming a reality is entirely dependent on City signing the hard working Brazilian midfielder.
But the new report from Mark Brus for CaughtOffside does suggest that Manchester City have their eyes on making a move for Ederson. Though it may be a hard move to complete as I’ve listed above. But he looks to the ideal player to bolster Pep Guardiola’s midfield. Now it appears to be a matter of seeing if the world champions will test Atalanta’s resolve in keeping the Brazilian midfielder or will City focus on other targets next month.