Manchester City midfield target refuses to ‘waste energy’ on January transfer rumours | OneFootball

Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi has once again issued comment on growing rumours surrounding his future, particularly centred around Manchester City.

The Premier League champions are widely expected to assess the midfield market over the course of the coming weeks, before making a decision as to whether to pursue a deal for a new central star during the January window.

That stance comes after Pep Guardiola’s squad lost the services of Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for the rest of the campaign back in September, after the Spaniard sustained a serious double knee injury during the 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League.

That has left Guardiola battling a number of problems but most strongly in the centre of the park, turning to the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan as a way of managing the strains on his squad numbers.

One name that has been heavily tied to reported interest from the Etihad Stadium’s chief transfer decision makers is Martin Zubimendi, who was a key target for Liverpool during the last summer market.

Speaking whilst away on international duty with the Spain, as he and his nation cope without Ballon d’Or winner and European Championships Player of the Tournament Rodri, Zubimendi was keen to dismiss the notion that thoughts on his future are taking centre stage.

“There will always be rumours and there is again now that the month of January is approaching, but I don’t waste energy on the noise outside,” the 24-year-old insisted.

He continued, “I’m happy with how I’m handling it and I’m going to take it.”

Other names to have been linked with Manchester City interest include the likes of Italy national team duo Samuele Ricci of Torino, and Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella – both of whom are likely to be stood by their respective clubs firmly with no intention of selling.

In the meantime, Pep Guardiola will continue to trial alternatives to the aforementioned Gundogan and Kovacic duo in the defensive midfield section of his squad, with the likes of Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones having impressed in recent weeks.

Manchester City will return to Premier League action this weekend following the final international break of the calendar year, as Pep Guardiola’s side welcome Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday evening.