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Man City January transfer briefing: JACK GAUGHAN reveals the seven players on City's radar, the latest on Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker's futures and what their spending could reveal about 115 charges verdict Join Mail+ for more exclusive scoops, in-depth reporting and analysis from inside the Man City camp By JACK GAUGHAN Published: 12:00, 30 December 2024 | Updated: 12:03, 30 December 2024 e-mail View comments It could be worse. The last time Manchester City saw in the new year outside the top four was only four years ago, when they were all the way down in eighth, with Liverpool riding high at the top - and they still came back to win the title by 12 points. Of course, the gap to Liverpool then was only seven points, where it is now 14.
And City were nowhere near as lost as they look this season, even after snapping their winless run with a 2-0 win at Leicester on Sunday. Very few would bet on them turning this around to claim a fifth consecutive league title, but if anyone was going to do it..
. What do City need? City were due for a squad refresh over the coming windows but the need for that has accelerated after the form of the past two months. Pep Guardiola intimated in recent weeks that any fresh faces would have a short-term benefit to an ailing team at the moment but has since stressed that potential signings must be made with a view to being successful over a number of years rather than just in the here and now.
Manchester City are currently 14 points off the top of the Premier League heading into January Here, Mail Sport's Jack Gaughan runs through the champions' January transfer briefing It’s obvious that City require new blood in central midfield and, given the carousel of injuries in the back line, some defensive reinforcement. The onus on Erling Haaland is greater than ever before and they are also on the lookout for a forward. There is also talk within the industry of a search for a goalkeeper.
Do they have money to spend? The short answer is yes. City’s latest annual report, published earlier this month, revealed a £73.8million profit from last year – and that doesn’t include the £64m initial fee received from Atletico Madrid for Julian Alvarez in August.
City’s net spend on transfers over the last five years is significantly lower than their rivals and, given a rebuild was already on the cards, there is money set aside for business. Figures within the game are eagerly awaiting to see how much is spent given the backdrop of a hearing with the Premier League over alleged financial breaches and believe it will offer some indication on City’s confidence regarding the case – something the club themselves would understandably deny. City will have money to spend after the stunning sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid Which players are they interested in? January is not a market City usually shop in, with Aymeric Laporte the last big winter addition back in 2018.
And the reason for that is it’s a tricky window from a value point of view. That said, they know work has to be done. Versatile midfielder Joshua Kimmich, out of contract at Bayern Munich in the summer, has long fancied a move to the Premier League.
Mail Sport has reported that Atalanta’s Brazilian Ederson has been watched by City. Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace has admirers. While both Martin Zubimendi and Bruno Guimaraes have also been discussed, City last week moved to rule out their possible January arrivals.
City also knocked down the idea of a deal for Atletico Madrid’s Pablo Barrios, although they are thought to have previously debated moving for the Spain international. There is a buyback clause in Liam Delap’s contract at Ipswich Town, with Lille striker Jonathan David also linked having scored 19 goals in 28 games for club and country this term. Omar Marmoush, 25, at Eintracht Frankfurt is possibly one to watch after the Egyptian netted 18 goals in 24 appearances for the Bundesliga side so far.
Wharton’s Palace team-mate Marc Guehi is well liked at centre half but is likely to be out of any Premier League club’s reach in January. Claudio Echeverri is linking up with Guardiola’s squad at the start of the month after sealing a switch from River Plate. He’s seen as a talent to be coached rather than immediately impacting the team.
Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi is a name that's been linked with City in recent months Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi could offer a solution to City's defensive woes of late Who might leave? Guardiola is on record as saying he doesn’t expect anybody to depart next month. City’s squad is thin by design and any flaws in that are exacerbated by the never-ending injury list. Tottenham and Newcastle United are believed to be monitoring Jack Grealish’s situation, however, while Ederson had a huge offer from Saudi Arabia on the table last summer that has not disappeared entirely.
Kyle Walker is thought to be assessing his options moving forward as well as Matheus Nunes. Academy graduate James McAtee may think his future is best served elsewhere after a lack of games but any departures ought to be contingent on incomings. Tottenham and Newcastle are monitoring Jack Grealish's situation heading into January Any unexpected moves to keep an eye on? Teenage centre half Juma Bah, currently on loan at Real Valladolid from AIK Freetong in Sierra Leone, is a name from left field.
He's 6ft 4in and has impressed in La Liga. He’d be seen in a similar vein to Echeverri. Liverpool Kyle Walker Share or comment on this article: Man City January transfer briefing: JACK GAUGHAN reveals the seven players on City's radar, the latest on Jack Grealish and Kyle Walker's futures and what their spending could reveal about 115 charges verdict e-mail Add comment.
