City eye experienced striker to back Haaland as Maresca builds squad

Within Manchester City’s hierarchy, the search for a reliable partner for Erling Haaland has become the biggest challenge for Enzo Maresca’s squad, as the Norwegian striker is set to start the majority of games up front and is almost a permanent fixture in the starting lineup.

Cover options for Haaland

Finding quality cover for Erling Haaland is the most difficult task for the Manchester City hierarchy when constructing Enzo Maresca’s squad. Haaland will play the majority of games up front for City. Given his stature and goalscoring prowess, Haaland is almost a permanent fixture in City’s starting lineup. Finding a player happy to be used sparingly as Haaland’s backup is no easy task.

City have two routes: develop a young striker behind Haaland or sign an experienced striker willing to prove himself. Club Brugge’s young striker Nicolo Tresoldi fits the bill as a young striker City could target in January.

Potential January target

A new report has named Bournemouth’s 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 Haaland if City pursue a move in January. Manchester City have reportedly been tracking Evanilson’s performances in recent weeks. Mark Brus reported via his exclusive Daily Briefing column that Manchester City, alongside Arsenal, are keeping tabs on Evanilson for Bournemouth.

“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 interest. It is also reported that Evanilson could be interested in a move away from Bournemouth if the right opportunity arises.

Evanilson fits Maresca’s plan

In terms of finding a striker who could do a job for City, Evanilson ticks all the right boxes. He 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.

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After signing for Bournemouth, he has scored 25 goals and added 14 assists in 86 appearances. Those numbers don’t jump off the page. Evanilson is a proven goalscorer although there is more to his game. He is very good at dropping into space between midfield and defence to link Bournemouth’s play for Marco Rose’s side.

He often drifts wide to become another attacking option for Bournemouth. He times his runs into the box well to be in the right position to finish chances. He is a quality striker who has always seemed to have the talent to play for a club consistently contending for honours. He is not tall but 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. He 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. 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. 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.