Manchester City are keeping tabs on Verona midfielder Reda Belahyane, according to Tuttosport (via FCInterNews).
The Moroccan international only moved to Italy from Nice last January but his performances have already attracted a lot of attention.
Some have likened Belahyane to Arsenal’s Jorginho, with his ability to dictate play with his passing from a deep-lying midfield role.
Tuttosport claim City are one of five clubs who are monitoring the player, along with Inter Milan, AC Milan, Lazio and Marseille.
Out of those teams, it is believed that the Rossoneri are the ones most likely to table a bid during the January transfer window.
Belahyane is available for a pretty low price
Local newspaper, the Corriere di Verona, reported last week that Milan, Marseille and Chelsea were the sides involved in the battle to sign the 20-year-old.
They also said that Belahyane’s valuation has been set at around €10m (£8.3m), which is not a fee that City would baulk at paying.
City may sign a different type of midfielder in the next transfer window
While Belahyane looks to be one to look out for in the future, the Premier League champions have more pressing concerns. A replacement for Rodri is required.
Atalanta’s Ederson, Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Atletico Madrid’s Pablo Barrios have all been linked with transfers to the Etihad over the past few weeks.
All three will be a lot more expensive than Belahyane. Reports in recent days have suggested that Atalanta will demand around €60m (£50m) for Ederson, which is the same figure as Zubimendi’s release clause.
Barrios has a higher buyout fee but it is believed that Atletico would also demand around €60m for the 21-year-old if the Cityzens come calling in the New Year.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
