Manchester City place massive bid for Atlético defender Giménez
According to multiple reports, Manchester City have made a “formal offer” of £82 million for Atlético Madrid’s José María Giménez.
In the latest twist in Manchester City’s search for a new high-profile central defender, City have surprised everyone by going far above their valuation for main target Kalidou Koulibaly to bid for Atlético Madrid’s José María Giménez.
The 25-year old Uruguayan is one of La Liga’s top defenders, and brings the physicality and aerial ability City are looking for in their partner for Aymeric Laporte. Despite the huge offer, Atlético have reportedly rejected the bid and referred City to the player’s £110 million release clause. Earlier reports had signaled that City had been sniffing around the player earlier this window with a figure around £70 million, which is currently being reported for Koulibaly, and were rebuffed by the Spanish outfit.
Giménez is a top player in one of the world’s best defensive clubs, but it would be an unnatural fit in City’s system. That’s not to say Giménez could not learn how to play under Pep Guardiola, as seen with Rodri’s seamless transition between the two clubs a year ago, but Giménez would be placed under far more stressful defensive situations at City than he ever faced in Madrid.
Atlético defend in a low block with two backs of four, allowing Giménez to keep everything in front of him. At City, he will be asked to shut down pacy counter-attacking forwards and make sturdy one-on-one tackles while most of the team is pushed high up the pitch.
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With reports also indicating that City have opened an interest in RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano, it remains to be seen whether these players are truly Koulibaly alternatives or merely leverage to accelerate the completion of a deal. I rate Giménez but believe that he is not enough of a known quantity for the price City have offered. He is a much younger choice than Koulibaly and a more experienced one than Upamecano, but the middle ground is not always the best choice.
If Upamecano is truly available for just £60 million, than he is the best option. Given that he has just penned a contract extension with Leipzig, I believe this is unlikely and that the team should therefore pay for more of a known quantity in Koulibaly. However, any of the three should be expected to improve the defense massively, and City must sign one of them if they are to contend and regain their Premier League title.