“Now we see” – Pep Guardiola offers truth on Manchester City and potential transfer hunt for Rodri replacement | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered an insight into the club’s potential pursuit of a new defensive midfielder in the January transfer window.

It comes as the Premier League champions are bracing themselves for an extended period of time without arguably their most integral midfield player, as Rodri sustained an ACL and meniscus injury requiring surgery last month.

That has sparked widespread debate as to how Pep Guardiola could set-up his side without the Spaniard, with solutions including the likes of Rico Lewis, Manuel Akanji, and John Stones operating in defensive midfield alongside Mateo Kovacic.

However, the absence of the 28-year-old midfielder has simultaneously created rumours surrounding the transfer market, and potential targets for Manchester City to explore in January should they feel their existing options are not up to the task.

Speaking during a recent press conference, and despite a number of links to profiles from across Europe, Pep Guardiola was keen to deny that City are actively seeking a reinforcement for the winter window.

“Right now, we are not thinking to find anyone,” said Guardiola. “But the scouting, or the department from Txiki (Begiristain), of course they are always connected to players. But me, I don’t find, this is the team.”

The City boss continued, “But what I said; in January we have time and maybe the situation is maybe I feel we need something or maybe an opportunity is possible, not possible, and we will take a decision.

“When Rodri is fit, we will not absolutely think about that, but now we see. Now I’m not able to take a decision right now. First because it is not possible to do it, and second because I want to see my team and how we react all together.”

In the days that have followed Rodri’s injury and surgery ruling him out for around nine months, Manchester City have been linked to the likes of Torino and Italy international, Samuele Ricci (23) – who is expected to be valued at around £30 million.

More ambitious and expensive targets mentioned in various media reports have also included Inter’s Nicolo Barella and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, despite neither side likely to be open to a big-money sale.

For now, Guardiola continue to trial and test tactical solutions in some of Manchester City’s more lower-profile competitive fixtures, with matches against Sparta Prague, Fulham, and Southampton on the horizon at home.