Manchester City sizing up a bid for the long-term replacement of Fernandinho

Manchester City's Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on May 8, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Martin Rickett / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by MARTIN RICKETT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on May 8, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Martin Rickett / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by MARTIN RICKETT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Fernandinho is one of the more cherished stars of Manchester City. The 36-year-old has proved to be a true leader on and off the pitch for the Premier League champions.

The Brazilian however, is in the final year of his contract and there were reports about him calling it quits on his Premier League career at the end of this season. The 36-year-old’s recent performances have been instrumental in paving the way to Manchester City’s title win and their maiden UEFA Champions League final.

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Fernandinho may himself be inspired to carry on for another season at the Etihad Stadium but let us face it.

Next season is going to be the last one for the defensive midfielder if this one isn’t.

Having said that, Todofichajes understands that City are among the numerous clubs interested in Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli.

Locatelli, 23, has been said to be one of the brighter prospects in the holding area. The 23-year-old has already managed to find his place in the Italian National team and it is only a matter of time before he joins one of the title-contending teams.

Among the teams interested in signing the 23-year-old are Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, and Barcelona. Though Real Madrid and Barcelona are not confirmed to be a part of the race, City could face a hard time from PSG as Locatelli in a recently concluded interview mentioned that he would be open to playing for PSG.

The 23-year-old also remarked that the Ligue 1 champions have been doing an impressive job in recent years.

It is understood that a bid in the range of £35 million to start with, would be required to lure the player away from Sassuolo. For now, as it stands, renowned Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano reports that it is an open race for the prospect.

Manchester City have officially won the Premier League 2020/21 when Leicester City recorded an impressive win against rivals Manchester United at the Old Trafford.

City are on the cusp of registering their maiden treble as they must now turn their heads toward the all-important UEFA Champions League final against Chelsea later this month.