Man City ready to offer £21m sensation after Marmoush

Manchester City have certainly meant business during the current January transfer window, making three signings in the past few weeks.

Pep Guardiola he may be going through his worst run of form in his 16-year managerial career, but he seems to be planning ahead with his new arrivals.

While the Premier League title may be out of reach this term, the Spaniard signed a new two-year extension at the end of last year, signaling his intention to return the club to where it belongs.

The transfer window is just over a week away, but will City make another signing in that time?

It’s no coincidence that City’s form has fallen off a cliff since then Rodri suffered a season-ending injury back in September. Will the club look to sign a player who could prove to be a younger version of the Spanish gem?

Manchester City are looking for a midfielder

So far, Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov have arrived in Manchester this month, bolstering Guardiola’s attacking and defensive options.

Two areas that needed some reinforcements are now reinforced. Will City’s midfield be next?

According to reports in SpainCity are showing interest in midfielder Mikel Jauregizar, who plays for Athletic Bilbao.

After scouring the transfer markets for midfield candidates, Guardiola appears to have found his man and is ready to make an initial bid of €25m (£21m) to secure his signature.

The report goes on to say that any deal is likely to be done in the summer, but if we have a plan, another young talent will be coming to the Etihad.

Douglas Luiz was too on City’s target as a potential signing but Juventus are unwilling to sell meaning any move would only be temporary between now and the end of the season.

Jauregizar has all the qualities in his arsenal to become Rodri 2.0 for Guardiola in Manchester, that’s for sure.

Rodri’s Manchester City stats

In the summer of 2019, having just won their second Premier League title in a row, City broke their club record for spending £62.8m to sign him Rodri from Atlético Madrid.

“Rodri has proven himself to be an extremely talented young midfielder,” said director of football Txiki Begiristain. “He has all the attributes we’re looking for.”

The midfielder has since proven to be one of Guardiola’s best signings in his career.

In his first three seasons, Rodri missed only 12 Premier League games, but in the 2022/23 season. the midfielder has become one of the best in the world.

The Etihad side won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble during that period, but Rodri conducted the orchestra.

Through the league campaign, the Spaniard has an average success rate of 91%.while creating nine big chances, making 1.9 tackles and winning an impressive 59% of his total duels per game.

If this season proved that Rodri belongs among the best players in the world, his results in the 2023/24 season. they proved that he was not a one-season wonder.

He helped his club to another league title, before turning out for Spain at Euro 2024 as his nation won every game to claim their fourth continental crown.

The 28-year-old subsequently won the Ballon d’Or for playing a key role in the success of his club and country.

His injury this season has dampened the club’s chances of winning five league titles in a row. By signing Jauregizar – either in the summer or this month – Manchester could bring in the ideal long-term successor to Rodrigo. That is certain.

Why Mikel Jauregizar could be Rodri 2.0

Like Rodrigo, Jauregizar emerged from the Spanish team’s youth system as a talented young midfielder with plenty to prove.

The 21-year-old made his debut for Bilbao last season, after making 23 appearances for the youth team. He showed great potential for success at the top of the club.

This season, the youngster has only missed three La Liga games. During his time on the field, he an average of 2.1 fights per game, losing possession just 7.5 times per game while winning 50% of his duels on the ground.

The Spaniard is certainly raw, but his potential is immense and there is no reason why he cannot be successful in the Premier League.

Compared to his positional peers in La Liga, the starlet from Bilbao is in the top 3% for tackles (3.1) per 90, top 21% for rebounds (5.67) per 90 and in the top 15% for goal-scoring actions (0.44) per 90, proving to be effective regardless of whether his team has the ball or not.

A move to City could be the ideal place for Jauregizar to develop, especially given that he can learn from Rodri, which would allow him to become a better player.

Among the links to the player, the writer David Walker commended the youngster, saying: “Athletic Bilbao’s young talent Mikel Jauregizar has also been mentioned as a possibility. City have been very active in the transfer market this month – which is great – but the key position is that of DM. and the future cover for Rodrigo, is an obvious omission so far.”

Unfortunately, as much as the City faithful would like him to stay, Rodri will not be around forever. This means that Guardiola’s next big priority will be signing a player who could become his successor.

If he can get a deal done to sign the current Bilbao star, especially for a paltry £21 million, then it could be a wise move in the transfer market.

City may not be at the level they have demonstrated over the past few years, but with the club’s business in the transfer market of late, they could return to their former glory next season.

With the addition of Jauregizar to his ranks, Guardiola will be ready to return City to the top of English football.