Manchester City reportedly receive a boost in their chase for a Atalanta midfielder

It has appeared to become clear that Manchester City have identified the midfielder they want to strengthen their midfield in January. A report from Calciomercato yesterday stated that City have identified Atalanta midfielder Ederson as the man they want to step into the void left by Rodri’s knee injury. Now a new report indicates that the world champions may have received a boost in their chase for the Brazilian midfielder. If the report is correct the dominoes appear to be falling into place for Manchester City to move for the energetic midfielder.

Rudy Galetti has reported for TeamTalk that Manchester City have made contact with Ederson’s agents to gauge his interest in moving to the world champions. Furthermore, Galetti reports that Ederson is flattered by Manchester City’s interest in signing him. Galetti further reports that playing for City is an idea that excites the Brazilian midfielder. It is also included in Galetti’s report that Atalanta will not budge on their asking price for Ederson in January. That asking price is set at €50 million as per Galetti’s report. Galetti adds that that fee is non-negotiable. Lastly, Galetti adds that Adam Wharton, Martin Zubimendi and Nico Barella are also potential targets for Manchester City in January.

As each day passes a domino appears to fall in Manchester City’s apparent chase for Ederson.

As each day passes it does appear that a new domino is falling in Manchester City’s reported chase for Ederson. Firstly, Calciomercato’s report suggested that Ederson is the midfielder City want to sign in January. Now Rudy Galetti’s report suggests that the Brazilian midfielder is interested in a move for the world champions. Both of those reports are positive news if City are indeed poised to make a move for one of Atlanta’s key players.

Now it appears that the asking price of Atalanta to sell Ederson may be a stumbling block. But relatively speaking, a fee of €50 million isn’t too unrealistic for Manchester City to pay. Based on Ederson’s quality that would be a bargain fee in the scheme of transfer fees in the modern market. That would especially ring true for a player of Ederson’s obvious quality.

The three other midfielders listed in Galetti’s report may be difficult to sign.

Another interesting part of Galetti’s report is the three other midfielders named as potential City targets. Adam Wharton, Martin Zubimendi and Nico Barella are all quality players in their own right. Each would add a different dimension to Manchester City’s midfield. But there is a case against each player arriving at the Etihad in January.

I do believe that one day Manchester City may move for Adam Wharton. He has impressed since arriving at Crystal Palace from Blackburn. But Manchester City need a ready-made midfielder in January. I don’t believe Wharton would be ready to step into such a prominent role just yet. In time, he likely will be, but for what Manchester City need now, he may not be ready for such a step up.

Martin Zubimendi and Nico Barella are different cases altogether. Zubimendi has a release clause in his contract. Phil Thomas has reported for the Sun that that clause is set at £50.3 million. But the stumbling block ahead of any potential move for Zubimendi is his reluctance to leave Real Sociedad. As per Thomas’s report, he rejected a move to Liverpool last summer. As it stands currently there is no indication that Zubimendi would be willing to leave Real Sociedad in January. But if he is Manchester City may strike.

Nico Barella is the third midfielder listed in Galetti’s report. He is one of Inter Milan’s key players and he does make the Serie A champions tick. It is extremely unlikely that Inter would contemplate selling one of their most important players in January. Perhaps City may visit a potential move for Barella next summer, but a January move for the Italian international appears unlikely.

Summary

Based on Rudy Galetti’s report it appears that dominoes are beginning to fall in Manchester City’s reported chase for Ederson. There does remain a stumbling block and that’s Atalanta’s reported asking price for the Brazilian midfielder. But if Manchester City are desperate to sign Ederson I believe they will pay what Atalanta is demanding. That may be the price to pay to add a midfielder in January to cover the loss of Rodri for this season.