A key decision by the Manchester City captain may have exposed City’s summer transfer plans | OneFootball

Heading into the upcoming summer transfer window, it does seem that signing a right-back and completing the rebuild of the midfield are the major priorities for Manchester City. Looking at the current City squad, those are the remaining tweaks needed to complete Manchester City’s rebuild. In terms of what midfielders and how many Hugo Viana may need to sign this summer could depend on who leaves the club. On that front, a new report indicates that Manchester City’s captain, Bernardo Silva, has made a decision on his future. Also, a new report indicates that City have their eyes on signing two proven elite Premier League midfielders to bolster their engine room this summer.

The Manchester City captain has reportedly made a decision on his future as two midfield targets reportedly emerge for City.

Mark Brus has reported via his exclusive Daily Briefing column that Bernardo Silva has made a decision on his future. Brus reports that the Manchester City captain has informed the club that he will leave at the end of this season after his contract expires. Furthermore, Brus reports that Bernardo Silva is eager to pursue a new challenge and that a host of clubs from across Europe and the United States are eager to sign the Portuguese international.

Graeme Bailey has reported for TeamTalk that Manchester City are planning to spend big to bolster their midfield this summer. As per Bailey’s report, Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is expected to complete a move to Manchester City this summer. Furthermore, Bailey reports that City may have to spend up to £90 million to sign the England international. It is also reported by Graeme Bailey that City also have their eyes on a move for Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.

Graeme Bailey adds that Real Madrid are likely to pursue a summer move for Rodri this summer. If Bernardo Silva and Rodri were to leave City this summer, City may need to sign two midfielders. Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali look to be the players that City have their eyes on. Lastly, Bailey reports that Newcastle could demand up to £100 million to sell Tonali.

This summer could see City considerably revamp its midfield.

There are a lot of moving parts to analyze in the two new reports. First of all, it isn’t a surprise to see that Bernardo Silva is likely to leave Manchester City this summer. That has been a realistic possibility all season. The Manchester City captain has given his all to the club, and his contract does expire at the end of this season. If Bernardo Silva were to leave City this summer, a player like Elliot Anderson could be the right player to fill the sizable void that Bernardo Silva’s departure would create in Manchester City’s midfield.

The variable in the equation is Real Madrid’s interest in Rodri. If Manchester City’s midfield general did leave City, a move for Sandro Tonali does make sense. The Italian midfielder isn’t a like-for-like replacement for Rodri. That type of player doesn’t exist. However, Tonali is a midfielder who can play as a number six or an eight and is a player who does look suited to playing in a Pep Guardiola team. Tonali’s versatility to play multiple roles in midfield, coupled with his passing ability, tactical ability and ability to read the game and time a challenge does see the Italian midfielder as a player who could slot into the City engine room.

Final thoughts.

Manchester City do look set to be in the market for a midfielder, possibly two this summer. With Mark Brus reporting that Bernardo Silva has informed City of his intention to leave the club at the end of this season, Elliot Anderson could be the player to come into Pep Guardiola’s squad. Sandro Tonali also seems to be a realistic player who can slot into this City squad. That particular move does seem dependent on whether Rodri leaves City this summer.

A busy summer could be on the way for Manchester City. Reports from Mark Brus and Graeme Bailey indicate that City’s midfield may face a major revamp depending on who leaves the club this summer. Bernardo Silva may be one midfielder who leaves City after giving his all to the cause. He may also not be the only key player to leave City, so a major rebuild may be on the cards for Manchester City’s engine room.