Pep Guardiola has the chance to fix a big problem at Manchester City by signing one particular player this summer.
As things stand, the Blues are in the race to land a fourth Premier League title in a row and a consecutive FA Cup.
While City still have a handful of crucial games left to play before the season ends, we have thought ahead to the upcoming summer transfer window and one particular piece of business that they could make to fix an issue they’ve faced at times in this campaign.
£100m star could solve a big issue for City
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Manchester club have an interest in signing Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, who apparently has a release clause in his contract worth £100m.
Since joining the Magpies back in the 2022 January transfer window in a deal worth an initial fee of £35m, the Brazilian has made 101 appearances for them prior to tonight’s Premier League match against Crystal Palace.
Across those games, Guimaraes has scored 14 goals and delivered 14 assists.
Guardiola could make a smart signing with Bruno Guimaraes
In terms of what problem he’d be able to fix for City, this season has proved just how much of an impact Rodri’s absence has on the team.
Specifically, out of the three Premier League games he missed through suspension earlier in the season, City lost all three, conceding four goals and scoring just one.
With the Spaniard having the highest combined total of tackles and interceptions (77) in the City squad as well as making more shot-creating actions (136) and goal-creating actions (21), this highlights how important he is for the Blues in a defensive and attacking perspective.
In comparison, Guimaraes has made more shot-creating actions (110) and racked up the highest combined total of tackles and interceptions (101) at Newcastle in the league this season.
This suggests to us that if City were to add the Brazil international to their ranks this summer, he would give them sufficient cover for Rodri, in addition to giving Guardiola the option to have both midfielders in his side for extra defensive and attacking power.
Taking all of that into account, we feel that this could be a very smart signing for the Manchester club to make this summer.
