Manchester City fans are patiently waiting for the January transfer window after a poor first half of the season.
Manchester City currently sit fourth in the Premier League table and are eight points behind leaders Liverpool.
One of the biggest factors behind City’s struggles this season has been the loss of Rodri. The Spaniard has been a dominant force in the team’s midfield for several years now, and it’s been clear that his absence is really being felt.
The hope for many is that City move to sign a replacement for the injured star – Rodri himself has apparently advised City to sign Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad.
But there are other players who’ve been linked, including Atalanta midfielder Ederson.
City recently learned they’d need to pay around £42 million to sign Ederson, and now a fresh claim has been made about the Brazilian dynamo.
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Ederson of Atalanta BC during the Serie A Enilive match between AS Roma and Atalanta BC at Stadio Olimpico on December 02, 2024 in Rome, Italy.
Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images
It’s been claimed by Caught Offside this morning that City now intend to step up their efforts to sign Ederson in January.
They’re anticipating interest from Liverpool in the Europa League-winning midfielder, and are keen to beat the Reds in any transfer race. Ederson is reported to be ‘flattered’ by City’s interest.
Atalanta are thought not to be too keen to sell Ederson, because they already lost Teun Koopmeiners in the summer.
The Italian club have been going very well this season and currently find themselves top of Serie A by two points. If they are to sustain their form, they will need to keep players like Ederson.
But given how good he’s been, it’s likely some big offers could come in next month. Indeed, his quality is not lost on those around him, with Papu Gomez claiming Ederson is a top 10 midfielder in the world and ‘fundamental’ to Atalanta.
Signing Ederson will be tough for Man City
It’ll be interesting to see if City do make an approach for Ederson in January, but it’ll likely be a difficult deal to do.
With Atalanta currently top of the table, they are surely not going to take kindly to approaches for their best players.
It’s stated by Caught Offside that Ederson could cost just under £50 million, which would be a lot of money to spend in January.
Ederson for Atalanta (2022-present)
Appearances – 110
Goals – 10
Assists – 3
Trophies won – 1
However, this is now a bit of an emergency for City, who are really struggling without Rodri. Also, the valuation of Ederson is around the same as Zubimendi’s release clause and seemingly, City are very interested in the Spaniard. So perhaps Ederson’s price won’t be too off-putting.
Ederson could be a good addition. He can play as a holding midfielder, but has the mobility and athleticism to go from box-to-box. Only Southampton have conceded more big chances since Rodri got injured, so getting someone industrious in there is paramount
In recent weeks, that City midfield has been crying out for some legs, and Ederson is surely a player Pep Guardiola needs to consider. But with Liverpool also keen, he may have a tough battle on his hands.