Exclusive: Manchester City and Tottenham now on alert as Juventus make £29m player available

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• EXCLUSIVE with Graeme Bailey

Manchester City are in desperate need of a new central midfielder.

Nobody could have expected the Citizens to suffer this badly after Rodri damaged his anterior cruciate ligament in September’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal, an injury which ruled him out for the rest of the 2024/25 campaign.

Pep Guardiola has overseen five defeats and a draw from Manchester City’s last six games across all competitions, including four consecutive Premier League losses in a row to leave the Citizens fifth.

Only Leicester City have a worse streak of defeats for a reigning Premier League champion.

Now – however – TBR Football understand Manchester City are one of ten clubs on red alert after Juventus made Nicolo Fagioli available for a January transfer.

Manchester City and Tottenham eye Juventus No.21 Nicolo Fagioli

Sources inform TBR Football that Juventus are looking to offload the Italy international this winter – after he lost his place under Thiago Motta.

Fagioli – who missed most of the 2023/24 campaign due to his involvement in the betting scandal which also impacted Newcastle No.8 Sandro Tonali – has made just four starts in Serie A this term as Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram are preferred.

As a result, TBR Football are aware that the 23-year-old has been offered to clubs around Europe, with Juventus open to letting him leave either on loan or permanently.

Most of the Premier League have been made aware that Fagioli is available, with sources telling TBR Football that Manchester City – who are ready to sell Kyle Walker – Aston Villa, Tottenham, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest have all taken notice.

Outside of England, Atalanta, Napoli, Marseille and RB Leipzig are also keen to sign the Italian.

TBR Football understand Juventus would want around €35m (£29m) to sell Fagioli in January – although a loan with an option to buy is more likely to happen.

What Andrea Pirlo has said about Nicolo Fagioli

Fagioli is not exactly a household name across Europe – yet – so a comparison may help you understand what type of player he is.

Interestingly, the man born in Piacenza has actually been likened to Andrea Pirlo – by the Italy legend himself.

The 45-year-old told Gazzetta dello Sport:“The biggest leap was made by Fagioli, who made his debut with me. He knows how to do everything and is a cornerstone of Juve and has the qualities to excel in directing play. He could be the new Pirlo, but better remembered as Fagioli.”

As we all know, Guardiola loves to control games, and likes to see these characteristics in his midfielders, so it comes as no surprise to see Manchester City looking at Fagioli amid this dismal run of form.