Man City eyeing up “flawless” £100m star

Manchester City need to get their 2025 summer transfer window spot on. It certainly feels like we are in the midst of another changing of the guard at the Etihad Stadium. Several of their biggest names could depart the club in the summer, with Kevin De Buryne one player who may be on his way out.

The Belgian stalwart will not be the only one who could be in line to depart the Etihad Stadium. At the end of February, The Mirror reported the likes of Bernardo Silva, Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan, to name but three could also be sold.

This, of course, means City need reinforcements, particularly in the centre of the pitch…

Man City’s big-money midfield target

One of the biggest weaknesses in City’s side this season has been their midfield with Rodri missing for most of the campaign through injury.

Nico Gonzalez did arrive in January but despite that, some big figures could still depart Manchester in the summer

So, in a bid to replace them, one of the players the club is targeting is Newcastle’s Brazilian superstar Bruno Guimaraes

According to a report from Graeme Bailey, in conversation with Manchester City News, he believes the Newcastle midfielder is a genuine target, stating Pep Guardiola’s side could end up ‘making a play for him in some manner’ this summer.

In terms of a price for Guimaraes, the Citizens could be looking at paying upwards of £100m, at least according to Bailey. That would see him cost as much as Jack Grealish did back in 2021 from Aston Villa, and become their joint record signing.

Why Guimaraes would be a good signing

There is no doubt that Guimaraes’ impact at St James’ Park has been second to none.

The Brazilian, who was once described as a “flawless” player by Statman Dave, has been pivotal in the middle of the park for Eddie Howe’s side, helping them to their first domestic trophy in 70 years at the weekend.

This season, the midfielder has been truly excellent in the middle of midfield, playing 37 times across all competitions, scoring three goals and grabbing eight assists.

One of his best performances came against Liverpool in the Premier League, where he grabbed two assists in a 3-3 draw. It’s that level of performance against a big side that’s attracted the Citizens ahead of the summer.

Should City get this deal over the line, it is a signing that has a similar feeling to that of Erling Haaland. That is to say, someone who can have an immediate impact on the side and become one of the club’s best players.

The Norweigan striker has been sensational for City. So far for the club, he has 119 goals and 18 assists in just 137 games. The 52 goals he scored in his debut season helped City win their first Champions League and the treble.

Of course, it will be hard for Guimaraes to replicate the exact impact Haaland had, helping City win a treble, but like the City number 9 did when replacing Sergio Aguero, the Newcastle star can help to revitalise a midfield that is ageing and arguably past its best.

In signing Guimaraes, City would be getting the full package of a midfielder, as the stats from the last 365 days on FBref show. For example, the Magpies number 39 averages 7.69 progressive passes, which places him in the top 7% of midfielders in Europe, and 5.66 ball recoveries per game.

There is no doubt the Brazilian upgrades the City midfield. As an all-around package in the middle of the park, he is one of the best in Europe, as the stats show. He brings athleticism, dynamism and progression into City’s midfield, something which they have lacked this season.

It would be an expensive deal to do this summer, but singing Guimaraes could be the addition City need to help spur them back up the Premier League table this season.

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