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Manchester City eyeing £250m splurge on Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes and Arsenal-linked Martin Zubimendi - Paper Round
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Published 13/12/2024 at 23:02 GMT
Manchester City are linked with a £250 million double swoop for Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi, though Arsenal are also reportedly keen on the Spanish midfielder. Mikel Arteta is also unlikely to buy a defender this January, but will not rule anything out, and Chelsea youngster Harvey Vale could leave for free after attracting interest at home and abroad.
Highlights: Crisis deepens at City as Juve defeat leaves them on CL brink
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Guardiola could sign two midfielders
The Sun reports that Manchester City’s profit on player trading could see Pep Guardiola spend big this January.
Both Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes could be brought in to fill the gap left by injured superstar Rodri.
The paper claims: "Pep Guardiola plans to hit the January sales for the first time in seven years in a bid to halt Manchester City’s alarming slump.
"Guardiola will be handed a war chest after the champions made more than £250 million on player trading over the past two years.
"Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes and fellow midfielder Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad are on City’s radar following Ballon d’Or winner Rodri’s season-ending ACL injury."
Arteta could enter race for Zubimendi
The Daily Express reports that Mikel Arteta favours Roberto Olabe to replace Edu as sporting director when he leaves Real Sociedad this summer.
That could give them a leg up in their pursuit of several of the Basque club’s talents, with Martin Zubimendi prominently mentioned.
The paper explains: "If the Gunners boss gets what he wants, the chances of him nabbing a number of Sociedad's top players will naturally increase.
"Arsenal are not the only Premier League club wise to Zubimendi's talent. The silky central midfielder is also on Liverpool's radar, and a battle for his signature could kick off this coming summer as he reportedly has a £49.5million release clause in his Sociedad contract.
"Not only would signing Zubimendi stop bitter rivals Liverpool getting hold of him, it would also provide Arteta with a different profile of midfielder, and a player capable of linking up seamlessly with former team-mate Mikel Merino."
Arsenal could make ‘surprise’ move
Mikel Arteta does not expect to do much in the January transfer window, but mentioned a "surprise" is possible.
With Gabriel and Riccardo Calafiori on course to return to full fitness, the manager could keep his powder dry instead.
The Mirror states: "The upcoming January transfer window offers a potential opportunity for Arsenal to boost their squad.
"But Arteta looks set to snub that chance though, with the Gunners boss instead banking on his sidelined players to return to fitness. The Spaniard did leave the door open for 'some surprises' though.
"'We’re just respecting the times that the medical department has set. We monitor him every day,' he said when asked for an update on Calafiori's fitness.
"'I never expect January to be super busy but some surprises always come. Hopefully the availability of the squad is going to be better in recent weeks.'"
Interest grows in Chelsea youngster Vale
The Daily Mail reports that clubs from around the Championship and Europe are keen on Chelsea’s Harvey Vale.
The 21-year-old is out of contract in the summer, and his eligibility for an Irish passport would help him slot into EU sides’ squads.
The paper writes: "Chelsea starlet Harvey Vale is attracting heavy interest ahead of January with the wider consensus being the versatile 21-year-old has outgrown the academy scene.
"Championship clubs at home as well as teams abroad have begun logging their interest in the England youth player who came on as a substitute in the Conference League victory over Astana in Kazakhstan this week.
"Mail Sport can reveal Vale is eligible for an Irish passport which sources are citing as particularly attractive among foreign sides as he would therefore avoid taking up a non-European spot.
"Vale's Chelsea contract is set to expire at the end of this season and though it is understood the club have the option to extend by an extra year, it is not expected to be triggered.
"That leaves a permanent move to a club in England or Europe as the likeliest outcome as the winter window approaches."
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