Manchester City considering former academy graduate as cheaper alternative to Elliot Anderson | OneFootball

Manchester City are considering a move for academy graduate Felix Nmecha as shore up their midfield ahead of next season, as per a new report.

After a great season with Borussia Dortmund, Nmecha has become a possible target for his boyhood club. Under Niko Kovač’s guidance, the 25-year-old has scored six goals and assisted three times in 42 games as Dortmund push for a strong finish near the top of the Bundesliga table.

City’s interest comes at a time when they might need to make changes to their midfield structure and personnel. There are still questions about the futures of important players like Bernardo Silva and Rodri. Manchester City’s recruitment team, led by director of football Hugo Viana, are looking at several possible reinforcements ahead of next transfer window.

Nmecha is an intriguing option – given his history with the Blues. The midfielder was born in Hamburg and spent 14 years in City’s academy system between 2007-21. He moved up through the youth ranks and played three times for the senior team – before finally joining VfL Wolfsburg for regular first-team opportunities.

Since then, he has been steadily developing. Nmecha moved to Dortmund in 2023 after making a name for himself in Wolfsburg’s midfield. He has since played more than 100 times for the Signal Iduna Park outfit. His profile as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder has caught the attention of Premier League clubs again, including his former club.

Why are Manchester City interested in Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha?

In a recent appearance on the Transfer Insider podcast, Football Insider transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke has broken down Manchester City’s interest in Nmecha.

“It’s a bit of a surprise one, this one, that City are considering a move to bring Nmecha back to the club,” O’Rourke said. “He came through their academy before departing for Wolfsburg in 2021.

“He’s really flourished over in the Bundesliga and has really impressed at Borussia Dortmund this season as a box-to-box midfielder.

“I’m sure he’s one that City are looking at because we do expect them maybe to make midfield reinforcements, especially if Bernardo Silva does leave and obviously there is ongoing speculation about Rodri’s future.”

What does this mean for Manchester City’s interest in Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson?

O’Rourke added that the German-based midfielder could represent a financially pragmatic option compared with other targets. “Nmecha is a top player,” the journalist added. “It could be a cheaper alternative to some of the other targets that City are looking at, such as Elliot Anderson.”

Dortmund, on the other hand, are not expected to make negotiations smooth. The Bundesliga club consider Nmecha an essential player for their project and is currently in talks with the player about extending his contract.

O’Rourke added: “Dortmund are reluctant to lose Nmecha. They want to keep hold of them if they can. Talks are ongoing with him over a new contract, but look, if a big money offer comes in, we know that Dortmund are open to selling players at the right price.”

Having said that, the German club’s record of selling their best players indicates that they would cashing in if they got an appealing offer.

Who else features on Manchester City’s shortlist for the summer transfer window?

Along with potential incoming moves, the report stated that City are also evaluating internal solutions. Matheus Nunes could go back to playing in midfield after spending most of the season as a right-back.

Manchester City are also said to be keeping an eye on AS Roma’s Wesley Franca, a defender whose attacking style has been compared to that of legendary Brazilian full-back Cafu.

City have already begun to reshape their squad for the next season – and Nmecha’s performances in Germany have firmly put him back on the club’s radar.

Whether that interest turns into an actual attempt to bring him back to the Etihad Stadium will depend on how City’s plans for the midfield develop and how willing Dortmund will be to entertain an offer and enter negotiations.