Manchester City has joined the race for the signature of OGC Nice midfielder, Jean Michael Seri. Recent sources have claimed that the Ivorian is gathering interest from Premier League clubs, Manchester City and Liverpool with a possible big-money move on the horizon in the near future. It is understood that the 26-year-old is open to making a switch to the Premier League, with the Citizens showing a concrete interest on the defensive midfielder.
Seri came very close to signing for Barcelona last summer after the Catalans were close to agreeing on a reported fee of £35.2m with OGC Nice. However, their bid was ultimately rejected by the French club’s president Jean-Pierre Rivere which has left the midfielder frustrated. It now looks like his possible availability has interested other top clubs of Europe as they are set to battle it out in the hunt to secure his services. Scouts from Manchester City has been tracking the player recently and are monitoring any developments with regards to his situation with OGC Nice, ahead of a possible swoop in January or in the summer.
UEFA Champions League top scorers, Paris Saint-Germain are also reportedly interested in entering the race for his signature. However, a move to England is what excites the Ivorian. Arsenal were also tracking the player last summer but a formal bid from the Gunners never materialised. The midfielder had a month-long injury lay-off but is now fully fit and ready to fight for his club in their efforts to climb up the Ligue 1 table.
Seri has featured in 17 matches for OGC Nice this season and has scored a goal and made four assists in the process. Although, he has struggled defensively with his side conceding 27 goals in 16 league matches which have seen them slump to 13th place in the Ligue 1 standings. The midfielder also has 16 international caps for Ivory Coast and has also represented his country at the youth level playing for the Under-23 side three times.
Seri has made a total of 97 appearances for his current club in France and has bagged 11 goals and 19 assists from his defensive midfield role. It’s no surprise that some European heavyweights are lining up to land the player given his knack for scoring and creating goals.
Manchester City currently boasts a central midfield comprised of Kevin De Bruyne and Fernandinho as starters, and Yaya Toure and İlkay Gündoğan as their back up. With the Ivorian international Toure in the twilight of his career, Seri would be a welcome addition to the City squad. Pep Guardiola might do well to replace one veteran Ivorian with another promising one.
