Manchester City may have identified the striker they want to support Erling Haaland

Manchester City may have identified the striker they want to support Erling Haaland Perhaps the most difficult task for the Manchester City hierarchy when constructing Enzo Maresca’s squad is finding quality cover for Erling Haaland. Haaland will play the majority of games up front for City. Given his stature in the game and his goalscoring prowess, Haaland is almost a permanent fixture in City’s starting lineup. Finding a player who will be happy to be used sparingly and as Haaland’s backup is no easy task. There are two routes for City to take to find quality cover for Haaland. They could find a young striker to develop behind Haaland. The alternative is to find an experienced striker who is happy to prove himself at City by playing a vital role for Enzo Maresca’s side. Club Brugge’s impressive young striker Nicolo Tresoldi fits the bill as a young striker that City could target in January. However, a new report has named Bournemouth’s hard-working striker Evanilson as a potential transfer target for Manchester City in January. Evanilson ticks the box of an experienced striker who could provide quality cover for Erling Haaland if City did pursue a move in January. Manchester City have reportedly been tracking the performances of Evanilson in recent weeks. Mark Brus has reported via his exclusive Daily Briefing column that Manchester City, alongside Arsenal, are keeping tabs on the performances of Evanilson for Bournemouth. On City’s interest in Evanilson, Brus reports: “ Manchester City’s technical staff and scouting department have been closely monitoring Evanilson in recent weeks. Internal technical evaluations suggest that he’s seen as someone who could adapt quickly to Enzo Maresca’s system and add significant dynamism to the frontline. ” It is further reported that Arsenal and Manchester City could be prepared to move for Evanilson in January. Brus adds that Bournemouth could slap a €60 million price tag on their Brazilian striker to fend off any interest from clubs. Lastly, it is also reported that Evanilson could be interested in a move away from Bournemouth if the right opportunity arises. In terms of finding a striker who could come in and do a job for City, Evanilson ticks all of the right boxes. Evanilson could be the ideal striker for Manchester City to target. The 27-year-old Brazilian striker is a proven performer. During his time at FC Porto, he scored 60 goals in 154 appearances. After signing for Bournemouth, Evanilson has scored 25 goals and added 14 assists in 86 appearances. Those numbers don’t jump off the page. However, Evanilson is a proven goalscorer although there is more to his game. Evanilson is very good at dropping into space between the midfield and defence to link Bournemouth’s play. He often does this for Marco Rose’s side. Also, Evanilson is often seen drifting wide to become another attacking option for Bournemouth. He then times his runs into the box very well to be in the right position to finish chances. Evanilson is a quality striker who has always seemed to have the talent to play for a club that is consistently contending for honours. The Brazilian striker is not tall in stature but he is physically strong. His hold-up play is a feature of his game. That trait would also lend itself to playing in an Enzo Maresca side. Also, Evanilson is adept at pressing. He wouldn’t have shone in an Andoni Iraola side or now Marco Rose is he wasn’t. All told, Evanilson is a well-rounded striker who would fill a void in the Manchester City squad if City decided to move for him. Final thoughts. Manchester City do need to find quality cover for Erling Haaland. That does seem to be a priority for City in the transfer market. At 27 years of age, Evanilson would bring experience to the City squad. He is also Premier League proven and has his own qualities he’d bring to Enzo Maresca’s squad. It remains to be seen if City will attempt to sign Evanilson from Bournemouth in January. Also, it isn’t clear if Bournemouth would be willing to sell one of their most important players. However, on paper at least, Evanilson is a good fit for Enzo Maresca’s squad. It is a move that makes sense if City do decide to pursue it during the January transfer window.