Manchester City could be on the lookout for a new central midfielder when the January transfer window opens.

Pep Guardiola was desperate to add another face to his engine room during the summer window but couldn’t add to the £60m addition of Riyad Mahrez. The Citizens had targeted Napoli’s Jorginho, and a deal seemed close until Chelsea swooped in at the last minute and sealed a move. Reports have suggested Guardiola will now turn his attention to Wolves maestro – Ruben Neves.

Instead, City should launch a bid to sign Fiorentina dynamo – Marco Benassi. Valued at £11.7m by Transfermarkt, the 24-year-old has flourished since leaving Inter Milan in 2014. After progressing through the club’s youth academy, Benassi was sold to Torino in a deal that brought Danilo D’Ambrosio to the San Siro. While the latter struggled, Benassi would go on to captain Torino before signing for Fiorentina last summer.

The Italian was a key player for his new side, making 35 appearances in the Serie A, scoring five and assisting two as Fiorentina ended the campaign in eighth. Benassi has made an excellent start to the new campaign with three goals in his first two appearances.

The former Italy U21 international can be the man Guardiola is looking for. He has all the qualities of a box-to-box midfielder that would thrive in the Premier League. While his passing accuracy leaves much to be desired, Benassi would slot seamlessly into the Spaniard’s system at the Etihad.

Under the former Barcelona manager’s tutelage, he could become a Premier League great.

Manchester City fans, thoughts?