Man City could step up pursuit of Serie A star

Manchester City are back in action on Saturday when they travel to face Football League side Leyton Orient in the fourth round of the FA Cup. 

The Citizens have lifted the trophy twice in the last six years but were beaten by fierce rivals Manchester United in last season’s final, and manager Pep Guardiola will be keen to see his side progress past Orient and into the fifth round.

With City out of the Premier League title race and facing a play-off against Real Madrid to reach the last 16 of the Champions League, the FA Cup could be their most realistic chance of silverware this term.

Guardiola and those in charge of City’s recruitment were busy during the January transfer window, bolstering the Spaniard’s squad with four new arrivals.

Nico Gonzalez became their fourth January signing late on deadline day, signing from Porto for a fee of £50 million.

Now, though, it has emerged that the reigning champions are still interested in a Serie A midfielder.

According to GiveMeSport, the Manchester club will consider stepping up their interest in Atalanta’s Ederson if it becomes apparent that Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes won’t be available this summer.

Ederson remains a target for Manchester City

City have been on the hunt for midfield reinforcements ever since key player Rodri suffered a season-ending cruciate injury against Arsenal in September.

Despite signing Gonzalez earlier this week, it is claimed that those in charge of City are still plotting to add to Guardiola’s midfield ranks when the window reopens this summer.

The report claims that City had been interested in Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi but have now had to look elsewhere as the Spaniard is edging closer to a move to Arsenal.

Guimaraes is regarded as City’s top target for this summer, but the report claims that they could look to sign Ederson if they can’t lure Guimaraes away from St. James’ Park.

Ederson, 25, has played more than 120 times for Atalanta since joining the club from fellow Italian side Salernitana in 2022.

He is contracted to his current side until 2027, and it remains to be seen how easily they would allow the Brazilian to leave Bergamo.