Manchester City reportedly ready to pay £72.4million for transfer of Real Madrid star

Manchester City are reportedly ready to pay big for the potential transfer of Real Madrid defensive midfielder Casemiro.

Manchester City’s underwhelming 2019/20 Premier League campaign laid bare the defensive frailties in Pep Guardiola’s squad. As lethal as the Citizens are going forward, they are porous at the back.

Pep Guardiola is ready to raid the transfer market in a bid to put Manchester City back on top of the Premier League after failing to keep pace with Jurgen Klopp’s relentless Liverpool this season, seeing the Reds streak to the title with seven games to spare

According to Don Balon, Manchester City could be prepared to pay as much as £72.4million to bring Casemiro to the Etihad Stadium as a long-term replacement for veteran midfielder Fernandinho.

Pep Guardiola brought in Rodri last summer but his debut season in that crucial holding midfield role has been difficult because of the man he took over from.

The fact Rodri has been such an important presence for City in the opposition half appears to have gone under the radar much like the work Fernandinho did for many years at the Etihad. He has looked better offensively but has appeared to struggle more with stopping opposition attacks.

It has been an encouraging first year for Rodri but as per Don Balon, Casemiro is perhaps more of a natural Fernandinho heir. 

The report suggest Real would not be keen to sell Casemiro, while the player himself also wants to retire at the Bernabeu. City may have to look elsewhere if they are to strengthen in midfield this summer,