Manchester City are unlikely to sign Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes or Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi during the January transfer window, according to the latest reports.
The Athletic journalist Sam Lee says sources have told him that neither midfielder is believed to be a target for the Premier League champions.
Needless to say, City supporters on X were not happy when they heard this claim from Lee:
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I’m sorry but we are not a serious club
— ⚡️🇧🇼 (@Priceless_MCI) December 21, 2024
Just relegate us please. 😡😡
— Savio (@mcfc_Savio) December 21, 2024
Yeah we’re playing in league 2 next year
— KDB (@F1PLCITY) December 21, 2024
Deary me
— Neil_K (@NK_ESQ) December 21, 2024
Yeah, the season is over!!!!
— Ryan (@WeareManC1ty) December 21, 2024
I mean, Bruno is Newcastle’s club captain. And Zubimendi changed his mind on Liverpool last minute. We all knew it deep down it won’t happen
— oishik (@oishays) December 21, 2024
Why have City decided against signing the pair?
It’s likely that the cost of purchasing Guimaraes has put off Pep Guardiola’s side. Newcastle are under no pressure to sell the Brazilian international after his £100m release clause expired back in June.
Money is not a factor when it comes to Zubimendi but the 25-year-old (who has also been linked with Liverpool and Arsenal) is keen to stay at Real Sociedad.
Which midfielder could the club target instead?
Moves for Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich and Torino’s Samuele Ricci have also been posited but there are issues in both of those transfers as well.
Although Kimmich’s contract expires at the end of the season, he is 29 years of age and there is a feeling that he may wait until the summer before making a decision on his future.
Torino’s president, meanwhile, has already ruled out Ricci leaving the Serie A club in January so a sizeable bid may be required to prise him away.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here