Are we beginning to get clues as to who Manchester City will target in January? | OneFootball

With the January transfer window only just over a month away, it is becoming apparent that Manchester City will look to add a midfielder to Pep Guardiola’s squad. After Rodri suffered a season-ending knee injury, City’s need to strengthen their midfield is clear for all to see.

READ MORE: The perfect midfielder for Manchester City to sign may be unavailable in January.

With that in mind, a new report indicates that Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace and Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad are looming as potential targets for the world champions. I believe there is an argument for the world champions to add both to their squad in January. That would be an expensive move but it’s likely the ideal one for Manchester City to make in January.

Sami Mokbel has reported for the Daily Mail that Adam Wharton and Martin Zubimendi have caught City’s interest. Furthermore, Mokbel reports that Manchester City had planned to add a midfielder next summer. But Rodri’s injury has forced them to bring those plans forward as per Mokbel’s report.

There is a case for Manchester City to target both players in January but that possibility appears unlikely.

Without a doubt finding a midfielder in January is now Manchester City’s primary focus in January. City’s midfield looks tired and age looks to be catching up to several of City’s more experienced players. Rodri’s season-ending knee injury has put pressure on his teammates to step into the void left by his absence. The loss of Mateo Kovacic for a month has added more strain to Manchester City’s midfield stocks. For me, signing two midfielders would immediately ease this issue of the world champions squad in January. Martin Zubimendi and Adam Wharton would almost be the ideal pairing to bring in.

Martin Zubimendi could immediately step into Rodri’s role. He has done so for Spain. That was seen during last summer’s European Championships. Zubimendi is arguably the closest player to Rodri that City could sign. He would have an understanding of the role he would be asked to play by Pep Guardiola and would immediately improve Manchester City’s midfield stocks.

Adam Wharton is a quality young player who appears destined for a lengthy career. He has impressed at Crystal Palace although injury has slowed him down this season. I don’t believe he is ready to step into Rodri’s shoes immediately, but if he were to come in alongside Zubimendi, it would almost be the ideal setting for Wharton. He could ease his way into his City career without the pressure of playing such a demanding role at such a young age thrust on his shoulders. That is the case for adding Zubimendi and Wharton this summer.

The problem, as I see it, is it appears unlikely that Manchester City will add two midfielders in January. The cost involved would be sizable. It would also increase the size of Pep Guardiola’s squad. It is no secret that Guardiola likes to work with a smaller squad. So that may rule out any City move to add two midfielders in January.

But as long as Manchester City add one midfielder in January it should improve City’s fortunes. Whether that’s Adam Wharton, Martin Zubimendi or someone else the move must be made. Based on Sami Mokbel’s report City have identified two players to add to their squad. They must sign one of them although there is a case to sign two midfielders in January.