Man City eye Newcastle star as UNPRECIDENTED €180m January move looms

Robin Bairner

• 14 Dec 2024 12:31 CST
• 2 min read

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is ready to spend big in the January transfer window after a catastrophic run of form that threatens to derail the club’s season.

City have won only one of their last 10 games across all competitions, which has seen them fall nine points off the pace of Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Under threat of missing out on the knockout rounds of the Champions League, too, Guardiola is ready to green light two deals during January that could see the Etihad club spend €180 million on bolstering their midfield options.

According to ESPN Deportes, Guardiola’s men are eyeing two players.

“Sources have told ESPN that Manchester City will go for Martin Zubimendi and Bruno Guimaraes in the January transfer market in order to rescue their season,” the report indicates.

Compared

Martín Zubimendi

DM, M (C)

Real Sociedad

Martín Zubimendi

DM, M (C)

Real Sociedad

VS

Bruno Guimarães

DM, M (C)

Newcastle Utd.

Bruno Guimarães

DM, M (C)

Newcastle Utd.

€29.4M	ETV	€63.8M
€22M - €36.7M	ETV Range	€47.9M - €79.8M
25 years old (02 Feb, 1999)	Age	27 years old (16 Nov, 1997)
Spain	Nationality	Brazil

A realistic deal?

Of the pair, Zubimendi looks the more attainable target.

The Real Sociedad star had been linked with a move away from the San Sebastian club during the summer transfer window but opted to turn down the likes of Liverpool to remain at his childhood club.

However, there have been claims that he has had a change of heart and is now open to a move.

With a release fee of €60m, the Euro 2024 winner appears to be attainable.

The same cannot be said for Bruno Guimaraes, who is a player that Man City have long admired. Newcastle, however, are unlikely to give the Brazil international up.

The Magpies fought tooth and nail to ensure the former Lyon star’s future was at St James’ Park during the summer, when they were threatened by the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Newcastle put a hefty asking price in the region of €120m (£100m) on Bruno at that point and it would likely to take an offer in that region to even get Eddie Howe’s side to start talking about the departure of one of their aces.