Man City are planning an unexpected ‘transfer’ for one of Europe’s most talented young players as the club aims to salvage their season in January.
Pep Guardiola’s team is experiencing a difficult streak, having not achieved a victory in seven matches, with six of those resulting in losses.
Consequently, the Premier League winners are currently placed fifth in the English top division and 17th in the 36-team Champions League group stage, which indicates they will only attain an ‘unseeded’ play-off position at this time.
Guardiola’s squad is 11 points behind league frontrunners Liverpool, yet with 25 league matches remaining, their season could still be salvaged.
Nevertheless, to enhance their prospects, City might consider making signings in January, with the midfield being a specific area of worry as crucial player Rodri is expected to be sidelined for several months after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament against Arsenal in September.
As reported by the Express, Guardiola is expected to receive a £200m budget for the upcoming winter transfer window.
City possesses the second-oldest team in the league, and the Spanish coach even noted his intention to ‘rebuild’ the squad after City’s 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.
“I don’t wish to run,” Guardiola stated.
I wish to be present and revamp the team in various ways from now through the end of this season and into the next one.
Multiple midfielders are rumored to be moving to the city, with Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, Atalanta’s Ederson, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton all identified as “possible acquisitions,” as reported by the Mail.
However, it is not merely a ‘number six’ that City might acquire this January.
Kevin De Bruyne has faced injury issues in recent seasons, and as the player nears his 34th birthday, it might be the right moment to introduce a new player to at least compete with him if he decides to remain at the club.
The Mail’s article indicates that Florian Wirtz, the attacking midfielder from Bayer Leverkusen and Germany, would be considered a “dream signing” for Guardiola.
However, he won’t be inexpensive.
Wirtz was undoubtedly Leverkusen’s standout player in their double-winning season of 2023/24.
The young player was included in Julian Nagelsmann’s German team for Euro 2024 and has maintained his performance this season – contributing to 14 goals in 20 matches.
The athlete’s existing agreement with the Bundesliga titleholders is scheduled to last until June 2027, with Leverkusen reportedly demanding a fee of €150million (£125m), as stated by The Athletic.
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