Manchester City aren’t expected to sign anyone in this window – but they could well do something this month that will boost their chances of landing one target in the summer.
Pep Guardiola is not renowned for bringing players in in the middle of the season.
During his time at the Etihad, the vast majority of transfer business has been conducted in summer windows – at least on the incomings front.
Pep tends to like going through seasons with a settled squad, and since he’s been at the club, the only high-profile additions in January have been Aymeric Laporte and Gabriel Jesus. Julian Alvarez’s move to City was announced in January 2022, but he did not join up with the squad until the following summer.
The likelihood is that City won’t sign anyone again this summer, and there is only likely to be one significant outgoing, which is Kalvin Phillips.
With Phillips though, City can potentially lay the groundwork for one transfer deal in the summer…
Kalvin Phillips to West Ham could open the door for Manchester City to sign Lucas Paqueta
At the moment, West Ham United are being linked with a move for City midfielder Kalvin Phillips.
The 27-year-old is not in Pep Guardiola’s plans and it’s been widely expected that he will move on in this window.
At the moment though, City’s loan fee demand is proving prohibitive, with Phillips’ team working to get it reduced to allow him to move.
West Ham are a team that like Phillips – and City should be looking to bring this particular move to fruition.
If City manage to negotiate a deal with West Ham to sign Phillips, then it’s possible the club will have an easier time signing Lucas Paqueta this summer.
Paqueta was a player City wanted last summer, and by many accounts, the Brazilian was keen to make the move, and thought it would happen. The proposed fee was £80 million.
But Paqueta then became the subject of an FA enquiry over suspicious betting activity, prompting City to end their pursuit.
City remain interested in the player though, and it was even suggested recently that the player will be cleared of any wrongdoing and he will sign for the club in the summer.
Relations between City and West Ham are already good
If Phillips does make a move to West Ham this month, then that really could help City in their pursuit of Paqueta, who was branded ‘brilliant’ by Daniel Sturridge after West Ham’s 3-0 win over Wolves.
It would be no surprise if there were conversations taking place right now about the Brazilian between the two clubs, while they talk about Phillips.
City and West Ham have a good relationship, and there is also a good vibe between the supporters of both clubs.
City also tried to sign Declan Rice this summer, but there was no ill feeling when City failed with their £90 million bid.
Surely, City sanctioning a move for Phillips to join West Ham will strengthen the ties further, and perhaps it will ultimately increase the chances of Paqueta wearing a sky blue shirt next term.
