Rodri will not feature for Man City across their next two matches this weekplaceholder image
Rodri will not feature for Man City across their next two matches this week | Getty Images
Both Man City and Man United are looking to sign a new holding midfielder in the summer.
City have already made two huge January signings in Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, but it is understood they also want to improve in midfield. Rodri has been very injury-prone over the past couple of years, and this season, he has struggled to replicate his form of the past.
Anderson prefers Man City move to Man United
It is understood that the 22-year-old will cost at least £85m in the summer, as Nottingham Forest view him very highly, and he is quickly becoming one of the best young midfielders in the Premier League.
Man United are desperate for a new midfielder, and Anderson remains one of their top targets, making City’s job of signing him a bit more difficult. However, fresh reports indicate that Anderson wants to move to the Etihad more than Old Trafford in the summer.
According to TeamTalk, Man City are growing in confidence that they can beat United to Anderson’s signature, and they claim that the Forest midfielder would prefer a move to Man City, rather than Man United, which has to be down to the draw of trophies and consistent Champions League football.
Anderson could come in and significantly take some heat off Rodri, to prevent further injury, but he could also be a long-term option in Pep Guardiola’s midfield, and potentially develop into one of the world’s best.
Anderson could replace Bernardo Silva
The Forest midfielder plays a holding role under Sean Dyche, but previously was more attacking with Newcastle, and before that, a winger in his youth playing days. It shows his versatility, and actually, Man City could look for him to replace someone other than Rodri.
Bernardo Silva’s contract at the Etihad is due to expire in June, and no effort has seemingly been made to keep him at the club. It is understood that he is expected to leave amid interest across Europe, and from the Saudi Pro League.
If Silva does leave, Man City will need a midfielder who can control possession and help turn defence into attack, which is what the City captain does so well. Anderson is a very adept passer of the ball and could almost adopt a deep-lying playmaker role behind the likes of Phil Foden, Tijani Reijnders, and City’s wingers.
He could come in and play alongside Rodri rather than as a replacement, and could be City’s long-term replacement for their current captain.
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