Fernandinho is out of contract this summer and could be on his way out of Manchester City, leading to the Sky Blues monotoring Ismael Bennacer, Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabiot, Denis Zakaria and Douglas Luiz as potential replacements.
But City may have an internal solution to his exit in the form of Yangel Herrera – a defensive midfielder currently on loan at Granada. The 22-year-old will return to Manchester this summer and might be worth a look after impressing in Spain.
Where will Manchester City finish this season?
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
Herrera joined City from Atletico Venezuela in February 2017 but has yet to make an appearance. He was loaned out to New York City FC until December 2018, sent to SD Huesca on a season-long loan in January 2019 until June and then was sent to Granada for two campaigns.
The Venezuelan international has gone on to make 73 appearances in all competitions for the Nazaríes, scoring 10 goals and supplying five assists (Transfermarkt).
This season, Herrera has won 110/206 aerial duels, made 19/30 successful dribbles, blocked 46 shots/passes/crosses, made 24 clearances, won 49 freekicks and averaged a tackle (43) or interception (25) every 26 minutes from 25 Liga appearances (WhoScored), so Pep Guardiola might be impressed.
Before City sent him to Granada, they did have him earmarked to replace Fernandinho, so it’s not too much of a left-field opinion that he could join the first-team next season.
The fact Herrera has made more interceptions (one every 71.7 minutes) than Rodri (one every 87 minutes) shows he could improve the midfield, so is he worth a look at in pre-season?
In other news, some fans say ‘old and injury prone’ transfer target ‘will be a big flop’ at Man City