Is it a case of one midfielder in and one midfielder out for Manchester City this summer? | OneFootball

How Manchester City continue their squad rebuild in the summer will be fascinating to monitor. You do sense that if City can get the upcoming summer transfer window right they could quickly bounce back up the Premier League table from next season onwards. For City’s rebuild to progress, we will likely see a host of Manchester City’s older players depart the club.

One such player could be Mateo Kovacic. He has now been linked with a potential move to Atletico Madrid. But the same report also names a player who could potentially replace the Croatian international. It’s a move that makes perfect sense on closer inspection.

Jason Pettigrove has reported for CaughtOffside that Atletico Madrid have an interest in signing Mateo Kovacic at the end of the season. Furthermore, Pettigrove reports that Atletico Madrid has begun making concrete moves with the player and City ahead of a potential summer transfer. Lastly, Pettigrove adds that Manchester City have identified Atalanta midfielder Ederson as a potential replacement for Mateo Kovacic.

Ederson could be the ideal player to step into the role Mateo Kovacic plays for Manchester City.

Although he has played out of position this season, Mateo Kovacic does play an important role for Pep Guardiola’s side. He plays his best football as a number 8 with his dribbling from midfield and he has an eye for goal and can pick out a pass. He was a key squad member during City’s 23/24 Premier League title-winning season. But this season Kovacic has been asked to be a Rodri replacement before Nico’s arrival at the club. That isn’t a role that he is suited to and that’s been obvious to see this season. But if Kovacic is to depart Manchester City in the summer he has been an important member of City’s squad during the past two seasons. If Kovacic did leave City then Ederson could slot into his spot into Manchester City’s squad.

Ederson could be the ideal player to replace Kovacic. The Brazilian is a similar type of player to Kovacic but he is tactically more astute than the Croatian, especially defensively. Ederson can also be a weapon going forward. You do also feel that Atalanta’s midfield workhorse could also play alongside Rodri and Nico, or step in for them in midfield when required. There is merit to the idea of Manchester City pursuing a summer move for the Brazilian. That move especially makes sense if Kovacic does leave. Ederson would also address a weakness in Pep Guardiola’s squad with his athleticism, work rate and pace.

If Manchester City do lose a host of players in the summer they will have to replace them. If Kovacic were to leave the club a player like Ederson could be the ideal replacement for him. It’s an idea that does have merit on closer inspection.