Man City told to sign 24 y/o Fernandinho replacement with more tackles than Rodri and Cancelo

Manchester City extended Fernandinho’s contract for another year, but they will need to replace the Brazilian in 2022, so the search for his successor is ongoing.

The Sky Blues have been linked with Ismael Bennacer, Denis Zakaria, Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabiot, Douglas Luiz and Mahmoud Dahoud, but Michael Ball believes they should target Yves Bissouma.

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He told Football Transfer Tavern: “I think it could be a clever move by Manchester City. He’s 24 and had a fantastic year at Brighton.

City have got a couple of ageing midfielders and it could be the perfect time for City to bring him in so he can get used to the club. City could bring him in now for the future.”

Bissouma joined Brighton from LOSC Lille in 2018 and has gone on to make 96 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals with one assist. He impressed in the Premier League last season, making 104 tackles, 64 interceptions, 64 clearances while blocking 45 shots/passes/crosses.

The Malian international averages 47 passes per game an

d boasts an 87.4% pass competition, so he doesn’t give the ball away cheaply. His 53/73 successful dribbles show he’s able to turn defence into attack too, so Pep Guardiola could do a lot worse.

Brighton have Bissouma tied down until 2023 and unsurprisingly want to keep him at the Amex Stadium, but City could test their resolve by lodging a bid this summer. The 24-year-old makes more tackles than Rodri and Joao Cancelo, but time will tell City they take Ball’s advice.