Is a complete rebuild of the midfield underway at Manchester City? | OneFootball

One area of the Manchester City squad that does need strengthening is the midfield. It appears that is one area that the City hierarchy is hard at work improving. Fabrizio Romano reported earlier today that Manchester City are moving quickly to wrap up deals for Lyon playmaker Rayan Cherki and AC Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders. Reijnders would bring goals from midfield to Pep Guardiola’s squad. He’d also add drive, tremendous technical ability and his ability to get around the pitch to Pep Guardiola’s squad. Rayan Cherki looks to be a player who would be more of a threat to the final third of the pitch for Pep Guardiola’s side.

But could Manchester City aim for a total rebuild of their midfield this summer? Two new reports have indicated that City are in talks with Atalanta over potentially signing Brazilian midfielder Ederson this summer. It’s hard to see where Ederson would fit into Pep Guardiola’s squad currently. But if a host of players leave City this summer that would change Manchester City’s priorities. Perhaps that is what is on the cards this summer.

Two new reports indicate that Manchester City are in talks with Atalanta over potentially signing Ederson.

Corriere dello Sport reported yesterday that Manchester City have an interest in signing Ederson from Atalanta this summer. Furthermore, the Corriere dello Sport report indicates that City are prepared to pay €50 million to sign the Brazilian international. Lastly, the Corriere dello Sport report indicates that Pep Guardiola is keen to add Ederson to his squad this summer.

Today, reporter Jorge Nicola has reported that Manchester City are in talks with Atalanta over a potential deal for Ederson. Furthermore, Nicola reports that City and Atalanta are discussing a proposal of around €70 million to bring Ederson to the Etihad. Lastly, Nicola adds that Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Manchester United have an interest in signing Ederson this summer.

It’s hard to see Ederson fitting into Pep Guardiola’s squad unless several midfielders leave.

As of right now, it’s almost impossible to see how Ederson would fit into the Manchester City squad. If, as expected, Tijjani Reijnders signs for Manchester City there will be a host of midfielders in Pep Guardiola’s squad. Rodri, Nico, Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva would all be on Manchester City’s books. They all typically play in the centre of the pitch for City.  Reijnders would add another midfielder to the equation. So, as of right now, assuming City’s move for Reijnders comes off, there is no room for Ederson. But that could change this summer.

If one of, or all of, Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan left City this summer that equation would change drastically. If two of them left that may open the door for Manchester City’s reported move for Ederson. Ilkay Gundogan has declared that he is hoping to stay at Manchester City for next season. Esteemed Kompany sources revealed in March that there were a host of club’s interested in signing Mateo Kovacic this summer. Bernardo Silva’s future is in doubt at City, but that is an annual occurrence at the club. So perhaps two or all three of them may leave the Etihad this summer. Perhaps City are aware of this and are making their move for Ederson. That remains to be seen at this stage.

It isn’t immediately clear if Manchester City will make a concrete move for Ederson. Reports do indicate that City and Atalanta are locked in talks over a deal that would see Ederson arrive at the Etihad. So perhaps Manchester City are aiming for a total rebuild of their midfield this summer rather than a rejig of sorts. The answer to that will become clear over the coming weeks. But it is food for thought at this stage.