Man City finalizes replacement for "Golden Ball"

Manager Pep Guardiola is said to have set his sights on Atalanta star Ederson as his top transfer target for the January 2025 transfer window.

Rodri is an irreplaceable pillar in Guardiola's tactical system. The Spaniard's absence has severely affected Man City's form, with the team winning only one of their last 11 games. To maintain their title competitiveness, recruiting a new midfielder has become an urgent task for the reigning Champions League champions.

According to TEAMtalk, Man City are stepping up negotiations with Ederson's representatives. The Brazilian midfielder is said to be very excited about the opportunity to join one of the strongest teams in the world and work under Guardiola. However, Atalanta do not want to lose this important player in the middle of the season and have valued Ederson at 60 million euros (about 49.6 million pounds).

Alongside Ederson, Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes remains Guardiola's ideal target, but the possibility of signing him in the winter transfer window is quite low as Newcastle have no intention of selling their star player. Man City are also keeping an eye on other options such as Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, to ensure they are not caught off guard if they fail to land their priority targets.

Guardiola clearly understands that if he does not quickly solve the problem in the midfield, Man City's chances of defending the title in both the Premier League and Champions League will become increasingly remote. Ederson, with his comprehensive technique and ability to contribute to the ball possession style of play, is considered an ideal replacement for Rodri in this difficult period.

This deal not only helps Man City strengthen but also shows the great determination of the Manchester team to overcome the crisis and regain top form. Can Pep Guardiola convince Atalanta to release the player to solve their urgent problem? The answer will be available next January.