Manchester City target Real Betis midfielder as January transfer deadline looms | OneFootball

Officials from within Manchester City have identified one of Spanish football’s leading midfield operators as a potential solution to their central problems this season.

Txiki Begiristain and his recruitment colleagues at the Etihad Stadium have been kept busy throughout the January market, investing over £130 million into three new faces as part of a rebuild of Pep Guardiola’s side throughout 2025.

In the defensive quarter of the pitch, Manchester City secured the services of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis at a cost of around €70 million with the former having already made his debut in last weekend’s 3-1 win over Chelsea.

And while Omar Marmoush has bolstered the attacking line and in some sense the attacking midfield roles, Manchester City continue to be on the hunt for a new midfielder to operate in the position vacated by Rodri for an extended period due to injury.

The Premier League champions have seemingly turned to Portugal and FC Porto’s Nico Gonzalez, however other reports have pointed towards additional player profiles that have been of interest to the club.

According to the information of transfer market insider Fabrizio Romano, Real Betis’ Sergi Altimira has been considered by Manchester City as one of their options to target as a brand new midfielder to come into the club for both the present and future.

However, it is stressed that the expectation is now for the 23-year-old midfielder to remain with Betis beyond the end of the ongoing transfer window, with his club not wanting to lose him from their existing squad.

Any future interest in Altimira from Manchester City or other clubs throughout European competition would no doubt secure the club a significant profit, after Betis signed the player from Getafe courtesy of a €2 million release clause in August 2023.

Altimira is a regular starter for Real Betis this season having amassed a total of 30 appearances across La Liga, the UEFA Conference League and its qualifiers, as well as the Copa del Rey, scoring just the one goal in the process and providing one assist.

For now, City will invest all of their time and efforts into the potential signing of Nico Gonzalez from Porto, with the Premier League side insistent on not paying the player’s €60 million release clause and eyeing a deal in the region of €40 million instead.