Manchester City are looking ahead to another season of Champions League football next campaign and could now aim to beat rivals Manchester United to a talented midfield addition, according to a report.
Man City looking to challenge for Premier League title in 25/26
Pep Guardiola will be more aware than anyone that his side need to improve on what ended as a trophyless season just gone. However, they will have a chance to bounce back swiftly at the Club World Cup next month.
Chelsea and Manchester City provide Premier League representation at the United States-based tournament, which could carry a bounty worth nearly £100 million for the competition winners.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola reacts with James McAtee
Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has promised an aggressive recruitment drive will be underway at the Etihad Stadium following a first campaign without silverware since 2017, serving as a warning to top-flight competitors.
He stated: "It's a lot of lessons learned. I can assure you, this club will do everything possible to come back to the standards that we know we all can achieve."
Talks have been held over a deal that could see Wolverhampton Wanderers left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri move to Manchester City, with the Algeria international high on their left-back shortlist heading into the window.
General view inside the Etihad Stadium before the match Related
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The Blues are now stepping up their pursuit of a midfielder, with the deal "almost done" on the player's side.
In addition, AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders could be a Citizen before the Club World Cup, indicating the priority is to bring through a swift stream of arrivals to replace outgoing figures such as Kevin De Bruyne before the competition begins.
Now, Manchester City have set their sights on beating Manchester United to another operator in the engine room as they aim to go from strength to strength.
Man City making £42m offer to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson
According to reports in Italy via Sport Witness, Manchester City are offering around £42 million for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, and he is said to be at the top of Guardiola's summer shortlist.
Atalanta midfielder Ederson
Hugo Viana has been assigned the specific task of bringing the Brazil international to the Etihad Stadium, while the Serie A outfit have reportedly lined up Celtic's Arne Engels as a replacement should a deal go through.
Ederson in 2024/25 - all competitions
Appearances
Goals
Assists
Manchester United have been in the race to sign Ederson and have made contact over a swoop for the midfielder, who has also been linked with reigning Premier League champions Liverpool in recent weeks.
Labelled "powerful" by Tiago Nunes, the 24-year-old won 161 tackles over the course of the campaign on league duty, lending credence to his reputation as a dogged operator in the engine room.
With Rodri back and Mateo Kovacic also capable of playing in a holding role, it remains to be seen where Ederson would fit in at Manchester City if a deal were to come to fruition in the summer window, but it looks as if it will be one to watch.