1 hour ago 1

Manchester City have their eyes on two big midfield signings which they desperately need

Manchester City does need to bolster its midfield this summer. There is no question about that. The loss of Bernardo Silva is huge for the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders. Also, whether or not Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez can become consistent contributors for City isn’t yet determined. It is expected that at some point this summer, Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson will sign for Manchester City. Outside of Anderson, City does need another proven midfielder. A new report indicates that is Manchester City’s summer plan, and if they get it right, City’s midfield will be revamped for a new era.

Manchester City have their eyes on signing two quality midfielders this summer.

In a Q&A segment for the Manchester Evening News, Simon Bajkowski has shed some light on Manchester City’s summer plans in terms of strengthening their midfield. Obviously, Elliot Anderson is Manchester City’s main summer transfer target, as per Bajkowski’s report. However, Bajkowski adds that City also have an interest in signing Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali. City’s interest in signing Tonali isn’t as an alternative to Elliot Anderson. It is reported by Bajkowski that if City did move for Tonali, it would be a separate move from Elliot Anderson. Based on Bajkowski’s report, Manchester City have their eyes on signing two quality midfielders this summer.

However, if Manchester City do intend on moving for Sandro Tonali this summer a new report indicates that they will face stiff competition. Mark Brus has reported via his exclusive Daily Briefing column (subscription required) that Arsenal and Manchester United alongside City, are interested in signing the Italian international. Furthermore, Brus reports that Tonali is expected to leave Newcastle this summer with the Magpies placing a £100 million price tag on one of their most important players.

There are questions that surround Manchester City’s midfield currently.

There are questions that surround the Manchester City midfield as it is currently constructed. Those questions become even bigger now that City’s Mr.-Fix-It Bernardo Silva will call another club home for the 2026-27 season.

Firstly, it isn’t immediately clear if Nico Gonzalez or Tijjani Reijnders are good enough to establish themselves at City. Reijnders endured a trying debut season at the club. The talent is there with Reijnders; however, it isn’t clear if he is suited to the Premier League. Nico Gonzalez fell out of favor under Pep Guardiola during the latter stages of last season. A new manager may give Nico a clean slate to work with. Nico has shown enough to indicate that he is more than a Rodri stand-in. Whether or not he gets that opportunity remains to be seen.

Rodri is almost 30 and has come off a serious ACL injury. The Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder showed enough that he can lead City’s midfield last season if his body allows it. That is the biggest question with Rodri right now. The same question surrounds Mateo Kovacic, who is a useful squad member, but his 2025-26 season was wrecked by an Achilles injury. It also isn’t clear if Kovacic will be at Manchester City next season.

One player who could step into midfield next season is Nico O’Reilly. If Josko Gvardiol remains at Manchester City for next season, O’Reilly could move into midfield with Gvardiol and Ait-Nouri competing for the left-back role. Nico O’Reilly is a midfielder and the next step of his evolution as a player may be becoming a mainstay of Manchester City’s midfield.

If City can sign two quality midfielders, the equation looks completely different for them.

As mentioned above, Manchester City do have a base of midfielders currently surrounded by question marks. If Hugo Viana can add two quality midfielders to the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders’ squad, those questions will be erased.

Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali would be quality additions to the City midfield. They’d immediately bolster City’s engine room and be signings that would also be a real statement of intent from Manchester City. It now remains to be seen if City can land both players. Whatever happens this summer, Manchester City’s midfield must be stronger and include two more elite and proven midfielders.

Read Entire Article