One of the most pressing needs for Manchester City to address this month is adding more bite to their midfield. As it stands currently the world champions midfield appears slow and lacks any real pace and bite. Since Rodri went down with a season-ending ACL injury, it has severely depleted City’s midfield.
One player who has been linked with a potential January move to Manchester City is Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. A new report indicates that Newcastle have an asking price that is well below the £100 million release that was Guimaraes’ contract. If that proves to be the case then everything may be falling into place for Manchester City to move for the Brazilian international next month.
Chris Waugh has reported for [_the Athletic_](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5997790/2024/12/16/newcastle-isak-wilson-injury-transfers/) that Newcastle are likely to demand a fee of between £60-80 million to sell Bruno Guimaraes. That may play into Manchester City’s hands. Although Waugh adds that any deal for Guimaraes would be a tough one to complete. Waugh reported: “_Guimaraes is liked by Guardiola, has Premier League experience and operates as a No.6 (even if he has shifted to the No.8 role in recent games). With every defeat, Manchester City’s desperation to strengthen mid-season increases. But Newcastle would demand a significant fee for Guimaraes – probably not the £100m figure that was attached to the release clause he previously had in his deal. Potentially between £60m-£80m – and it would not be a straightforward deal for them to complete._”
#### The chance may be presenting itself for Manchester City to make their move for Bruno Guimaraes.
Manchester City must [make an impact](https://esteemedkompany.com/2024/12/17/manchester-city-must-make-an-impact-in-the-january-transfer-window/) in the January transfer window. Next month’s transfer window is the opportunity for the world champions to kickstart the rebuild of their squad. It is the biggest challenge in front of the City hierarchy. To do that they will need to add bite to their midfield. Bruno Guimaraes may be the perfect player to add that to City’s ailing midfield. Based on Chris Waugh’s report, it does seem that the door may be ajar for Manchester City to move for Guimaraes.
Last summer the Brazilian international had a £100 million release clause in his contract. As per the information of Chris Waugh Manchester City did have an interest in signing Guimaraes last summer. But they decided not to activate the release clause before it expired. Now, Manchester City’s needs are different to last summer, and a fee of between £60-80 million does represent an opportunity for Manchester City to pounce.
If City deem Guimaraes as the player they want to improve their midfield they must just pay the fee. Manchester City are desperate for midfielders and Guimaraes would fill a need. The world champions cannot afford to enter any lengthy negotiations next month. They must be ruthless and efficient with their transfer dealings.
Now all attention will shift to whether or not Manchester City will move for Bruno Guimaraes next month. Chris Waugh’s report suggests that the opportunity may be there for them to pounce. Now it is a matter of seeing whether or not they will.