The January transfer window is in full swing as clubs are looking to fill in squad gaps or offload players who are surplus to requirements. Or, they could be in a situation like Manchester United, where an overhaul needs to be initiated.
We spoke to transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio who outlined Manchester City’s transfer plans and the factors that can influence or prevent Marcus Rashford’s departure from Manchester United.
City will contend with Liverpool, Man Utd and Real Madrid for Ederson’s signature
Pep Guardiola’s side has missed the presence of Rodri who suffered a season-ending ACL injury earlier this season. Naturally, they’ve been linked with a move for holding midfielders and Atalanta’s Ederson is reported to be their top target.
As per Di Marzio, Ederson is a player who is highly likely to move in the summer as he’s a key man for Atalanta who are contending for the scudetto. Di Marzio mentions that the Bergamo based side will find it extremely difficult to keep a hold of the Brazilian in the summer as top clubs like Man City, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Man Utd have been monitoring his situation for a long time.
“Ederson is a top player and it will be really, really, really difficult for Atalanta to keep him in the summer. He’s like the new Koopmeiners for them, the new diamond for the market.
“Liverpool for sure has been following him for a long time. FC Barcelona too, but we know they have a lot of problems signing players so I think Ederson can be subject to a transfer battle among Man City, Liverpool and Real Madrid. These are the teams that can afford, at the moment, a player like Ederson. Or Manchester United because Manchester United and Atalanta have a good relationship after the Højlund deal.
“He will be the midfielder of the summer.”
While Ederson is one to watch in the summer, Di Marzio name drops Douglas Luiz as a possible option for the Citizens in January. The Brazilian moved to Juventus earlier this season but has struggled to get regular minutes.
“So I think, the plan for Man City is to get young players or get an established strong midfielder like Douglas Luiz, if he will leave Juventus.”
Manchester City’s focus this window is on getting young players
Bayern Munich and Germany winger Leroy Sane was also linked with a return to the Etihad Stadium but Di Marzio thinks that it is unlikely as according to him, Man City’s focus is on recruiting young players.
“At the moment, I think Leroy Sane is staying at Bayern Munich. Man City is looking for young players for the future – young defenders, young midfielders. I don’t think he’s the main target for Man City at the moment.”
Di Marzio names Abdukodir Khusanov of Lens, and Juma Bah of Real Valladolid as realistic targets for Pep Guardiola’s side. Tottenham are also looking at Khusanov but Di Marzio sees City as favourites for his signature.
“Khusanov of Lens, City is fighting with Tottenham to get him and I think Man City, at this moment, are favourites to get him.
“Another player that Man City like is Juma Bah, the defender of Valladolid. He’s a very interesting player and Man City is looking forward to him. Even Inter Milan.”
Marcus Rashford’s high wages impeding a loan move to Serie A
It is evident that Ruben Amorim has an uphill task at hand at Manchester United and it is likely that a squad overhaul is needed. Rashford, a youth product of Man Utd, has been out of favour since Amorim joined and reports constantly point to his future away from Manchester United and England.
Serie A giants AC Milan and Napoli are interested in bringing in Rashford on a loan deal but Di Marzio points out that the Englishman’s wages are a cause for concern. Serie A sides will only consider bringing him in Man Utd are willing to pay the lion’s share of Rashford’s wages.
“I think everything is open for Rashford. He could leave on a loan deal. AC Milan is interested in him but his wages are really high. For Serie A clubs, and even not only for Serie A clubs, it is almost impossible to have him without Man United covering some of his wages. For Milan, Man Utd will have to cover more than half of his wages.
“It depends on Man United. If they want him to leave, he can go, but if they don’t want to cover his wages, he will stay until the end of the season. Everything is open ,and maybe they will not make a decision before the summer.”
Rashford is priced at 3/1 on Sky Bet to move to Italian giants AC Milan during the January transfer window, which could be a tempting bet for some punters. If you’re not already signed up with this operator, then it’s well worth looking into, as they’re one of the best football betting sites around.
