With the number of injuries Manchester City have had at their disposal, it seems like it would be wise for them to dip into the January transfer market and add fresh faces to their squad.
On Thursday, it was claimed that Manchester City’s strategy in the winter window is to only add a fresh face to their roster if they spot a market opportunity. Otherwise, the higher-ups at the Etihad Stadium are content with the squad at hand and will assess every possible aspect in the upcoming weeks.
Pep Guardiola admitted Manchester City need the international break due to the burden of their mounting injuries easing in the next few days — with important players like Ruben Dias and John Stones returning to full fitness soon.
Meanwhile, Arne Slot’s start to life at Liverpool is the best by any manager in their first season in Premier League history — winning 14 games in all competitions — as per LiveScore.
So far, it seems like much like under Jurgen Klopp, the Reds are ready to push Manchester City to the limit in the title race.
Both Liverpool and Arsenal look like they could take the title fight to City right down to the wire.
Man City confident they can convince Martin Zubimendi to sign in January
With 11 games played in the league, it would be premature to write the Sky Blues’ title credentials off.
Especially as Pep Guardiola’s men are still trying to adjust to playing without their Ballon d’Or-winning midfielder Rodri.
According to a report by GiveMeSport, Manchester City have “some belief” that they can lure Martin Zubimendi to leave Real Sociedad in favour of a move to England in January.
It was also mentioned that City could try to swoop in to sign a holding midfielder in the winter window in general due to the extent of Rodri’s ACL injury.
Pep Guardiola is expected to sit down and have a chat with the club’s chiefs to discuss their strategy for the January transfer window. However, the Catalan is believed not to be pushing the higher-ups to make new signings.
It was reported on Sunday that Rodri advised Manchester City to sign Zubimendi in January — who has a £60 million release clause in his contract — with the club having a £100 million budget to spend in the new year.
In September, a claim emerged that Manchester City opted not to bid for Zubimendi in the summer — who is believed to have turned down a transfer to Liverpool.
Zubimendi rubbished Man City links in October
During the previous international break, Zubimendi shut down his links to Manchester City by expressing that his desire remains to stay at Real Sociedad.
The 25-year-old said: “There are always rumours but so far, I’ve always thought that the best solution for me is staying at Real Sociedad.”
“I’ve still a lot of things to give to this club, I still want to grow and develop here.”
With the Spanish international seemingly not tempted by a move to Anfield in the summer as well, he seems fully committed to his boyhood club.
As a result, Manchester City will have a task on their hands to persuade Zubimendi to bid farewell to Real Sociedad in January.
But considering City seem to back themselves to be able to do so, it will be interesting to see whether they get the transfer over the line.
With Manchester City rarely ever making signings in January during Pep Guardiola’s reign, them trying to do so would indicate that perhaps be an admission internally that their summer business was not satisfactory.
