Will Manchester City sign two midfielders before the transfer window slams shut?

As the transfer window edges closer to closing it does appear that Manchester City will still be big players in the transfer market. They have already signed three players, and there is the possibility that they could sign more. It does appear that City could raid Serie A to complete their January spending. Douglas Luiz, Andrea Cambiaso and Ederson loom as City targets. The general assumption is that City will sign a full-back and a midfielder. But there is a strong case for Manchester City to sign two midfielders and target a full-back in the summer.

Two reports emerged yesterday that do appear to lay out Manchester City’s transfer plans over the final stages of the transfer window. Firstly, Simon Mullock reported for the Mirror that Manchester City are now unlikely to pursue a deal for Andrea Cambiaso this month. Furthermore, Mullock reports that Juventus’ £75.5 million asking price for Cambiaso has put City off of moving for the Italian international this month. It is also included in Mullock’s report that City have been offered a loan move for Juventus midfielder Douglas Luiz. Mullock adds that any loan deal for Luiz must include an obligation to buy clause. Lastly, Mullock adds that Atalanta midfielder Ederson is also a target for Manchester City.

Jack Gaughan has reported for the Daily Mail that Manchester City are eyeing up a summer move for Andrea Cambiaso. Furthermore, Gaughan reports that City are eyeing off a loan deal for Douglas Luiz. Jack Gaughan adds that Manchester City do have their eyes on signing Ederson from Atalanta. Lastly, Gaughan adds that Atalanta’s recent slump may see them sell the Brazilian midfielder during the current transfer window.

It would be a smart move for Manchester City to sign Ederson and Douglas Luiz to wrap up the current transfer window.

The expectation was that Manchester City would add a full-back and a midfielder before the transfer window closed. But based on Simon Mullock and Jack Gaughan’s new reports it appears that a City move for Andrea Cambiaso may have to wait until the summer. It does seem that Juventus are unlikely to lower their asking price to sell the versatile full-back. Also, as per Gaughan’s report, Cambiaso’s injury situation could prove to be problematic. If City decide not to move for Cambiaso during the transfer window they will soldier on with what they have at full-back. Matheus Nunes, Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol currently play at right and left-back. They are capable of finishing the season in those positions.

But Manchester City do need help in midfield. Signing both Ederson and Douglas Luiz would add exactly what City’s midfield is currently lacking. Since Rodri went down with an ACL injury, City’s midfield on occasions, has looked slow and one-paced. Especially against teams that possess pace in the middle of the pitch. Signing both Ederson and Douglas Luiz would help tremendously in this regard. They could both start and help Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva in midfield. They’d both give Pep Guardiola two different options in midfield to employ. Perhaps signing both players is the move City will make over the final stages of the transfer window.

It does promise to be a busy close to the transfer window for Manchester City. But the more you look at it, the more you get the sense that the world champions could benefit from signing both Ederson and Douglas Luiz. It appears that any City move for Andrea Cambiaso may have to wait until next summer unless something drastic changes. Now, all of a sudden, potential moves for two Brazilian midfielders aren’t as far-fetched a prospect to ponder as they once were. Now it’s just a matter of waiting to see what City decide to do before the transfer window closes.