5 Players Manchester City Could Sign In January
Manchester City’s season till now has been a phenomenal one, with the team reaching newer heights and setting up a domestic record of 16 successive Premier League wins and sitting 15 points clear on top of the table ahead of Manchester United just before New Year. In Pep Guardiola’s second year in-charge at the Etihad, the Blues have shown a mammoth rise in their gameplay and plan execution, a cause helped quite a lot given the club’s recent signings approved by Pep himself which just shows how much emphasis is put to make it a team for the future.
With new recruits filled with young blood such as the likes of Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Ederson and John Stones storming their way into the main team and becoming a fan favourite already, Pep might just want to consider some more names to be added to the squad in order to cope up with injuries and rotations in the seasons to come. With the New Year just around the corner, here’s a top 5 list of players Manchester City could sign in January transfer window.
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1. Alexis Sanches: –
The news of the Chilean forward being linked to Manchester City never seemed to go out of sight even after City’s failed pursuit to rope in the 29-year old this summer. A deadline day collapse of the deal which many insiders believed was already done, Alexis remained an Arsenal player after their failure to land Thomas Lemar from Monaco in the eleventh hour.
A primary figure in Arsenal’s front line, Sanchez is reportedly unhappy at Arsenal and has even expressed his desire to work under Pep for the second time. With his contract ending next summer, he may come cheap for as low as £20 mil if City are to push for the winger or might be signed for free once his current contract expires next season.
2. Inigo Martinez: –
The present Real Sociedad defender has been in the look-books of Guardiola for quite a long time and the Blues manager may finally go all guns blazing to get his man after John Stone’s recent hamstring injury and captain Vincent Kompany’s ongoing match fitness issues.
The 26-year old Spanish centre back could prove to be a vital buy for City as he can fill in the left back position effectively too, giving Pep a wider choice list. City scouts have been constantly monitoring him this season and the coming January transfer window may see the Spaniard move to Etihad for a fee around the region of £30 mil and bolster their back-line.
3. Philipp Max: –
Son of former German striker Martin Max, Philipp has been splendid this season having already racked up 10 assists and a goal playing as a left back for German side FC Augsburg. The 24-year old may prove to be perfect for Guardiola’s style of playing inverted fullbacks and given he is on top of the Bundesliga assist chart, Pep might want to push for the player in the coming transfer window.
After losing Benjamin Mendy until April to an ACL rupture, Pep has used Fabian Delph to fill in the left back position but any serious injury to him may see City struggle to cope up with defensive stability in the long run. With Max gaining quite a reputation of joining any top club given his glittering performances of late, the charismatic left back may head to Etihad this January to compete in one of Europe’s top league.
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4. Johnny Evans: –
With City prioritising to strengthen their defence line in the coming transfer window, West Bromwich Albion captain Johnny Evans has been in circulations since the last couple of months. The 29-year old veteran centre back can bring in stability to the defence, and make a strong pair with Otamendi or either John Stones; adding he can also help in the build-up play given his decent passing accuracy.
City are however questioning his £30 mil price tag set by the Baggies as the January transfer window promises a three way tussle between Arsenal, Manchester City and his former team Manchester United to land the versatile defender and add him to their ranks.
5. Wilfried Zaha
Ex-Manchester United winger Wilfried Zaha has fallen under City’s radar after displaying some superb performances lately and may prove to be a valid target for City if the Blues are to lose Alexis Sanchez to French giants PSG. With news of Alexis’ agent being in Paris to discuss about the star’s future and his potential move, Zaha may be the only feasible option left for Guardiola to rely upon, atleast for the coming transfer window. With a hefty price tag of about £40 mil subject to increase as Chelsea look to push for the speedster too, City may have to toil hard to land the 25-year old and bring him to Etihad.
(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
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