Latest developments
- Man City considering Martin Zubimendi swoop
- Pep Guardiola's side struggling without Rodri
- Consider Zubimendi the perfect replacement
Whisper+ analysis
Authenticity (3.5/5): Semi-reliable source – can be questioned
Manchester City have been struggling over the last three weeks without their star man, Rodri, since the Spaniard suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Guardiola's side are on their worst-ever run having lost four straight games as Rodri's absence is ever-present in midfield.
As such, the defending Premier League champions are considering their options and The Sun has reported that they are now considering swooping in for Real Sociedad's Zubimendi for a move in January.
The Sun has been known as a semi-reliable source at times, with sensationalization being a key topic in their news sources. However, the report about Zubimendi could very well turn out to be true.
Value (5/5): Best £50m investment possible
Zubimendi has been closely linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer as the Reds had triggered the €60 million (£ 49.8m) release clause in his contract with Real Sociedad, however, the Spaniard decided to reject the approach in favour of staying with his boyhood club.
The release clause has not changed as Manchester City seek their Rodri replacement, and for that price point, there is no doubt that any club that can afford to sign the Spain international, should. City would very easily be able to trigger that release clause having spent very little over the summer, by their standards.
Suitability (5/5): A like-for-like Rodri replacement
Not much needs to be said about Rodri's role in Manchester City, the Spaniard was the glue for Guardiola's side and also a very clutch footballer when it came to getting results in tight games. Zubimendi is a player cut from the same cloth as Rodri. Zubimendi may not receive as much hype as Rodri, but the Real Sociedad ace deserves his plaudits.
Zubimendi would slot right into the centre of midfield for City in the Rodri-shaped gap as Guardiola would look to work his usual magic on the 25-year-old to make the team function as it has so often.
Upgrade? (5/5): Kovacic not cut out for Rodri's role
Replacing Rodri in Manchester City's system was always going to be a tough role to fulfil for Mateo Kovacic as the former Chelsea star is not as adept at holding play together. As such, Zubimendi would be a key upgrade on the Croatian midfielder as it would progress the team much further and help Manchester City's offensive midfielders focus more on making the attack tick rather than worry about bringing the ball up from defence.
Logic (4/5): Zubimendi could become City's star man
Any midfielder would dream of playing under Guardiola, as the Spanish coach has made a name for improving midfielders constantly and helping them unlock hidden potential.
While fans in Spain wholeheartedly appreciate Zubimendi, he is simply not as recognised outside of the country. However, a move to Manchester City and playing a part in unlocking City would propel his stardom to another level.
Whisper+ final verdict – 22.5 /25
Zubimendi joining Manchester City would be the biggest blessing to City fans, as the Spaniard could play a big part in their attempt to win their fifth-straight Premier League title. However, the move actually going through is another discussion altogether, as Zubimendi has maintained that he wants to stay with Real Sociedad as long as possible.
