Man City are in need of midfield depth and an heir to Fernandinho. After failing to secure Jorginho in the summer, and even Fred before that, City have turned their attention to another familiar face. Julian Weigl has been linked with City before, and according to reports, City are back in for the young german midfielder. Dortmund have apparently set a price tag for the player as well, which would see City have to yet again, break their record for a transfer fee. Mahrez, as of right now, is the most expensive player in Man City history. If City are to land Weigl, it will apparently have to cost £68million, £8million more than Mahrez.
Pep Guardiola is desperate to find an heir to Fernandinho. If there was one position where City lack depth at, its holding midfielder. Fernandinho is a wonderful player and one of the best players at his position. But at 33, City have to look towards the future, and probably the not so distant future at that. Pep is apparently worried, according to these reports, at the lack of depth at holding midfielder. Weigl is a natural replacement for Fernandinho with Pep believing he has the potential and ceiling to reach his level one day. Weigl is a top prospect in Germany. He is considered one of Germany’s best young talents, and easily one of the best up and coming midfielders in Europe. Only recently turning 23, Weigl has already accumulated 85 starts and 2 goals for Borussia Dortmund over 3 years. Injuries have been his only setback, but overall, he has proved that he is capable and able to compete at the highest level.
Weigl is probably City’s best option at adding a midfielder in January. He will not be cheap, but if the price is right, Dortmund would be more than willing to sell him. Weigl also is a good fit for this team, and wouldn't crowd the roster at all. Weigl is a player that can come in day 1 and compete. But at the same time, he will know his role. Its tough to find a player that is able to rotate and compete for playing time. Weigl will rotate and keep Fernandinho fresh, especially in Domestic Cup matches, as well as coming off the bench and proving a bit of defensive cover when needing to preserve a lead. City have also been heavily linked to Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton, who also is a holding midfielder. Neves would be an excellent addition, but In my opinion, signing Neves in January will be tough. Wolverhampton are a newly promoted side, and with the investment that they did in the summer, selling one of, if not your best player to an english team would be tough. I think a lot of it will depend on the position Wolverhampton are in. But I have a hard time seeing them selling an important player in January.
In other news, according to these same reports, Man City are also interested in Real Betis Left Back Junior Firpo. Firpo, is a highly rated Left Back from the Dominican Republic. He has risen through the ranks at Real Betis, signing their as a teenager, and now is the starting Left Back. He is apparently rated very highly in Spain, enough for Real Bettis to slap a £54 million release clause in his contract.