Manchester City January transfer window preview: What could City do in the transfer market? | OneFootball

With the January transfer window set to open imminently, attention has shifted to what Manchester City may do next month. Several areas of Pep Guardiola’s squad need to be strengthened over the January transfer window. But what could we expect the world champions to do next month? The January market is typically a difficult one to navigate so Manchester City will have their work cut out to land their ideal targets. But they have money to spend and they will look to reinforce Pep Guardiola’s squad. Here’s a look at what may happen next month for the Premier League champions.

Who are Manchester City’s targets in the January transfer window?

Jack Gaughan has provided an in-depth report for the Daily Mail on who Manchester City could target in January. A host of midfielder’s are listed in Gaughan’s report. Ederson, Adam Wharton, Bruno Guimaraes, Martin Zubimendi and Joshua Kimmich are listed as players that City have previously admired. However, as per Gaughan’s report, Zubimendi and Guimaraes have been ruled out as January targets for Manchester City.

Up front Gaughan names Liam Delap and Jonathan David as potential targets for the world champions. As per Gaughan’s report, City holds a buyback clause in regard to Liam Delap. Jonathan David is in the final six months of his current contract, and Manchester City could test Lille’s resolve to keep the Canadian international.

Gaughan also names Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi as a potential target. Although he may not be a player, City can land next month, as per Gaughan’s report. But Guehi would tick the boxes Manchester City require of a player who could step in and add quality to their defensive stocks.

Right-back is a position of concern for Manchester City. Kyle Walker has struggled this season and does look to be coming to the end of his time at the very top. Phil Thomas has reported for the Sun that Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina could be a player Manchester City could target. But it does remain to be seen if City would move for the Nigerian international. Plus it appears unlikely that Forest would sell Aina in January based on their strong form so far this season.

Who would be the ideal additions to Manchester City’s squad?

If you were looking at what area is the most pressing need to be filled in Manchester City’s squad in January you’d likely think that City need midfielders above any other position. Rodri’s ACL injury has severely hampered City’s season. Ideally, it would be perfect if City could add two midfielders next month. But for the sake of argument, if they could only land one, I believe Atalanta midfielder Ederson would be the ideal January signing for Manchester City.

Manchester City lack energy in midfield. That’s what Ederson would provide. He has starred for Atalanta this season, and his energy, coupled with his defensive and technical ability, would perfectly complement Manchester City’s midfield. However, it remains to be seen if Atalanta will sell the Brazilian midfielder next month. Rudy Galetti has previously reported for TeamTalk that City have identified Ederson as their top target in the January transfer window. Lastly, Galetti adds that Atalanta has placed a €60 million price tag on Ederson. If that is correct I’d like to see City move quickly to try and add Ederson to their midfield.

I expect Manchester City to be busy in the January transfer window, but if they could only sign one player, Ederson would be my pick.

What I expect Manchester City to do in January.

The January transfer window is typically a difficult market to navigate. Teams do not want to lose their prized assets at such a critical point of the season. It will also see City forced to pay a premium to secure their primary targets. That’s just the nature of the situation Pep Guardiola’s side finds themselves in. The players listed in Jack Gaughan, Rudy Galetti and Phil Thomas’s report would all be strong additions to City’s squad. But whether or not they are attainable remains to be seen.

I expect Manchester City to be busy in January. I believe that we will see at least two or three players arrive at the Etihad. But it could be a player like Samuele Ricci who arrives to strengthen City’s midfield. Shamanth Jayaram has reported for TBR Football that the Italian international is looming as a target for the world champions. Perhaps if players such as Ederson aren’t available Ricci could be the type of player City target. Ricci is young, and a proven commodity in Serie A. That is the type of player I expect City to target next month.

If the Premier League champions could land 3 players who are young and bring energy to City’s squad that would be a successful January transfer window in my opinion. A midfielder, a defender and another striker would be the perfect additions to Pep Guardiola’s squad. With the January window set to open we now wait to see who Manchester City may bring in.