Heading into the transfer window it appears that support for Rodri is one of Manchester City’s main priorities this summer. City’s midfield general is his team’s most important player and he carries a heavy workload for the world champions. It would be unfair on Rodri to ask to continue to be tasked with such a heavy burden heading into next season.
The champions have been linked with a host of players who can come in to provide support for Rodri. It may be down to a choice of four players for Manchester City. Here are four midfielders who have been linked with a potential move to the champions this summer.
Bruno Guimaraes
Manchester City have been linked with a summer move for Bruno Guimaraes. A report from Pete O’Rourke from footballinsider247.com has linked Manchester City with a summer move for the Newcastle United midfielder. It is also included in O’Rourke’s report that City would face competition from Arsenal and PSG for the Brazilian international. Furthermore, O’Rourke also reports that Manchester City are unlikely to pay the £100 million release clause in the contract of Bruno Guimaraes.
As a player, Bruno Guimaraes appears readymade for Pep Guardiola’s squad. He has proven himself in the Premier League and at the highest level with Brazil. The problem appears to be the asking price for Guimaraes. O’Rourke’s report indicates that City are unlikely to pay £100 million for the Brazilian. If that is the case the champions may look elsewhere for support for Rodri.
Joshua Kimmich
Another player Manchester City has been heavily linked with is Bayern Munich midfielder, Joshua Kimmich. Graeme Bailey and Shaun Webbley have reported for HITC that the champions could face a battle for Kimmich’s services with Barcelona. But any move for Kimmich may depend on what the German international decides to do this summer. Kimmich has a year remaining on his current deal with Bayern Munich.
As a player, Kimmich could potentially slot immediately into Pep Guardiola’s squad. He has played under the City manager before and his versatility and experience would immediately add to City’s squad. But any potential Manchester City move for Kimmich may depend on what Kimmich decides to do. It is doubtful that Manchester City would get into a transfer battle for his services. If Kimmich decides to stay at Bayern or prefer a move to Barcelona it would rule City out of the running for his signature.
Kimmich appears ideally suited to life at the Etihad. But there seems to be several moving parts that may impede any Manchester City move for the cultured midfielder.
Joao Neves
Earlier this summer Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh reported for 90min.com that City were favourites to sign Benfica prodigy Joao Neves. The young Portuguese international has shone for Benfica this season and has proven himself to be one of the brightest young prospects in Portuguese football.
As a player, Joao Neves almost ticks every box to play for Manchester City. He is prodigiously talented, possesses immense technical and tactical ability and his best football lies ahead of him. On paper, he could be a player who could immensely improve Manchester City’s midfield now and become an integral player for City in the future.
A possible impediment to any deal for Neves is cost. Jacob Leeks has previously reported for the Mirror that there is a £103 million release clause in the midfielder’s contract. Leeks also reports that Benfica are unlikely to accept anything less than the release clause to sell Neves. While the midfielder appears a tantalising prospect is he worth Manchester City breaking their transfer record for? That could be the major stumbling block in any City move for the midfielder.
Alan Varela
The fourth player linked with a move to Manchester City is Alan Varela. The Argentinian midfielder starred for FC Porto this season and that form has put him on the radar of Manchester City. Argentinian news outlet Deportes 24 reports that Varela’s form this season has impressed Manchester City scouts.
As a player, Varela is a typical defensive midfielder from Argentina. He has exceptional technical ability and brilliant defensive awareness Those traits combined with his potential to improve make him another player who could add to City’s squad.
Manchester City may face competition if they move for Varela. Deportes 24 adds that Liverpool are also monitoring the midfielder. It remains to be seen if City will move for Varela this summer.
Summary
There are four players Manchester City have been linked with move for this summer. Each player mentioned could provide support for Rodri if they were to arrive at the Etihad this summer. Each player has their own strengths and weaknesses and could slot into the champions squad.
It is also apparent that finding reliable support for Rodri may be a costly exercise for Manchester City. But given the importance of finding a player who can support their most important player it may be a price that champions have to pay this summer.
