Manchester City eye Atletico star in yet another defensive rehaul
Manchester City are keen on signing Jose Gimenez from Atletico Madrid.
Pep Guardiola‘s men shipped two goals against a struggling Arsenal side, as Manchester City crashed out of the FA Cup semifinal on Saturday. City have struggled to replicate the form that led them to a domestic treble last season, losing out on the Premier League title to Liverpool as well.
Defensive issues have been a major contributing factor. Aymeric Laporte‘s injury has forced Guardiola to rely on Fernandinho, Eric Garcia and even Rodri in defense on occasion. The Cityzens have already lost 9 games in the league, which is more than they have ever lost under Guardiola.
The Spaniard is clearly regretting his decision of allowing club captain Vincent Kompany leave last summer without signing a replacement, and it appears that a center back is top priority for the club this time.
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This is in spite of the fact that players like Leroy Sane and David Silva are set to leave in the summer.
Manchester City have already been linked with Dayot Upamecano and Kalidou Koulibaly, and are ready to spend big to help Guardiola overhaul his defense after their successful appeal against a two-year Champions League ban for alleged FFP breaches.
The latest name to come up is Atletico Madrid’s Jose Gimenez, according to The Times.
The Uruguayan star has been a reliable defender for Atletico in recent seasons, and has stepped up after the departure of compatriot Diego Godin to Inter Milan.
However, Atletico is set to demand a massive €120 million for him if City approach them, a fee that would make him the most expensive defender of all time.
The 25-year-old is a classy defender who would fit in well in Guardiola’s squad. But if Diego Simeone is unwilling to budge on his demands, it is unlikely to see even City’s cash-rich owners coughing up in excess of €100 million when there could be cheaper options.
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Meanwhile, City’s focus will now shift to their match against LaLiga winners Real Madrid in their Champions League round-of-16 fixture, a tie that is far from over despite their 2-1 lead from the first leg.