Manchester City supporters in the Transfer Tavern are very much looking forward to the remainder of the summer transfer window, what with their side eyeing the additions that can take them forward again next season.
Pep Guardiola’s men won the Premier League title at a canter this season by accumulating 100 points from their 38 league matches, eventually ending up a staggering 19 points clear of nearest rivals Manchester United. Yet, while they were all-conquering on the domestic front, they weren’t able to make their mark in Europe, which is something manager Guardiola will seek to improve upon next term if he is to take the Citizens to the top of the European pecking order.
As such, there are many expectant City fans in the Tavern at present, several of whom are likely to be intrigued by recent reports linking Southampton’s Mario Lemina with a move to the Etihad Stadium if they fail to land Jorginho.
And with Brazil international Fernandinho having turned 33 last month, the Citizens would find their ideal long-term replacement for the midfielder in the £13.5 million-rated Saints ace (as per Transfermarkt).
Ultimately, while the likes of Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, and Raheem Sterling have earned most of the plaudits for City’s stunning season, 33-year-old Fernandinho has played just as crucial a role as the aforementioned duo in the middle of the park.
The Brazilian gives Guardiola’s side balance with his ability both on and off the ball majorly impressive – Guardiola even deemed him one of the top three holding midfielders in the world earlier this term.
But at 33 and with no one really in the City squad currently good enough to deputise on a regular basis, Guardiola appears to be thinking about the long-term successor to Fernandinho, and Southampton’s Lemina wouldn’t be a bad option were they to fail in landing Jorginho.
The 24-year-old Gabon international only made the move to St Mary’s 12 months ago but enjoyed a fine debut season at the South Coast outfit, appearing 29 times in all for the Saints, 25 of which coming in the Premier League.
And he was arguably one of their brightest sparks in an otherwise largely forgettable season for Mark Hughes’ men, with the former Juventus man able to control and dominate the middle of the park, both with the ball at his feet and indeed in breaking up play and marshalling the Saints backline.
And given Southampton were one of a few sides to successfully thwart Guardiola’s City for the vast majority of their two Premier League meetings, it appears that Lemina does indeed have the ability to succeed Fernandinho at the Etihad Stadium, and at the age of 24, he could do so for many years to come.
Thus, were City unable to get a deal done for Napoli’s Jorginho, Southampton’s Lemina would provide them with an ideal long-term replacement for Fernandinho.
Man City fans… what do you think? Let us know!
