Manchester City ‘closely following’ performances of four Real Sociedad stars

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Published on 2024-03-13 17:01:16

Premier League champions Manchester City are reportedly keeping an eye on the performances of four players from Real Sociedad. These La Liga talents are the latest to be linked with a potential move to the Etihad Stadium as Manchester City prepares for a busy summer transfer window.

The focus of Manchester City’s transfer activity is expected to be in central midfield, with Kalvin Phillips and Bernardo Silva rumored to be exiting the club in the coming months. This would leave a gap that needs to be filled in both attacking and defensive midfield roles to support mainstay Rodri throughout the demanding season.

Reports suggest that Manchester City is interested in Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, Takefusa Kubo, and Robin Le Normand from Real Sociedad. City, along with other top European clubs, are closely monitoring their performances, according to Deportes COPE Gipuzkoa.

The situation with Merino is particularly intriguing, as his representatives are holding off on contract negotiations until Sociedad’s place in European football is secured. This has sparked interest from clubs like Juventus, Manchester United, and Atletico Madrid in addition to Manchester City.

While Merino has a €60 million release clause at Real Sociedad, his contract situation could make a potential departure more affordable. The players being monitored by Manchester City cover various positions on the field, with Merino and Zubimendi known for their defensive capabilities in midfield.

Takefusa Kubo, despite being only 22 years old, is highly regarded in Spanish football, having come through the youth ranks of Barcelona and Real Madrid. He has impressed with his performances, contributing goals and assists this season.

Robin Le Normand, a 27-year-old French defender, is the only player in the group not in a midfield role. With a strong defensive lineup already at City, a move for him seems unlikely at this point. Overall, Manchester City is looking to strengthen its squad with these talented players from Real Sociedad as they plan for the upcoming season.

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