Manchester City are expected to be somewhat busy in the January transfer window.
It’s been a tough start to the new season so far, with the club having recently gone on a seven-game winless run.
That run came to an end last night against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, and the hope is that Pep Guardiola and the team will now finish the calendar year strong.
The January transfer window is almost upon us, and City are potentially going to be looking at signing cover for Rodri.
Rodri himself has apparently advised City to sign Martin Zubimendi.
But the expectation is that Zubimendi won’t leave Real Sociedad until the end of the season, so that could prompt City to look elsewhere.
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One player who’s been linked with Nicola Fagioli, and Manchester City News spoke with transfer expert Graeme Bailey to get the lowdown.
Man City could seek Nicola Fagioli loan move in January
Nicola Fagioli of Juventus in action during the Serie A match between AS Roma and Juventus at Stadio Olimpico on March 05, 2023 in Rome, Italy.
Photo by Giampiero Sposito/Getty Images
It was suggested recently that City were offered the chance to sign both Fagiolo and Douglas Luiz from Juventus.
Apparently, Juventus’ technical director Cristiano Giuntoli has already held talks with City about those two players, as well as Manchester United.
But could City really go after Fagioli and if so, what kind of basis would it be on? Transfer expert Graeme Bailey tells Manchester City News a loan move is a possibility.
He said: “He’s an interesting one. He’s out of the reckoning at Juve really. He’s one who’s probably missed out slightly with Thiago Motta coming in. A huge talent, Italian international. He was embroiled in the betting scandal, but I think it impacted a lot less on him than it did on Tonali.
“He’s an interesting player. He’s one who City have known about before. If they looked at a short-term option, a loan in January, it could be on the table.
“There are plenty of clubs who like him. I think it seems more likely Marseille, but he’s got a few options. He’s an interesting one to keep an eye on. He’s interesting because he’s a high calibre player who might be available on loan and there isn’t too many of.”
Fagioli could be an outside option for Man City
Fagioli sounds like a player City fans should be keeping an eye on next month.
We know that January transfer windows can be difficult because clubs don’t want to lose their best players.
But it sounds like Fagioli is someone who could be available, so it’ll be interesting to see if City do make an approach, or go for someone a bit more high profile like Zubimendi.
Nicola Fagioli for Juventus this season
Appearances – 8
Minutes played – 439
Goals – 2
Assists – 1
Pass completion rate – 88.3%
It can argued that Fagioli is perhaps not someone City need at this moment in time, because he isn’t an out-and-out holding midfielder. He can play in that role, but he can also go from box-to-box. So it sounds like he could be another Mateo Kovacic-type player in terms of position.
Zubimendi is surely the player City need to be going for, especially after that report suggesting Rodri has advised the club to sign him.