The January transfer window is now open and this month is set to be an important one for a number of clubs, none more so than Manchester City who are expected to be active during a period when they have traditionally been quiet.
Since Pep Guardiola's arrival at the Etihad Stadium in the summer of 2016, Man City have only made two senior January additions in the form of Gabriel Jesus (£27m in 2017) and Aymeric Laporte (£57m in 2018).
The Citizens decided against major reinforcements last summer and welcomed just two new signings to the blue side of Manchester in Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan - the former signing for an initial £21m from Troyes after starring on loan at Girona last season, and the later re-joining from Barcelona on a free transfer.
Man City have since endured a challenging and disappointing campaign, with multiple injuries and a drop-off in form from a number of senior stars contributing to the club's alarming decline on all fronts.
Guardiola's side currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, a whopping 14 points behind leaders Liverpool, while they are at risk of failing to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
In a bid to turn their fortunes around and bolster a squad lacking depth in a number of key areas, Man City have been tipped to splash the cash on signing at least a couple of players in January, with Guardiola recently hinting that they may pursue a new central defender and central midfielder.
One name who has regularly been linked with a big-money switch to the Etihad is Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, who has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League during his time at St James' Park.
© Imago
Guimaraes, Zubimendi, Aina, Robinson to be targeted by Man City in January?
Man City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany spoke to Sports Mole senior reporter Oliver Thomas about the club's transfer priorities for January and has labelled Guimaraes as an "ideal signing", although he has doubts over whether a deal can be agreed this month.
"Bruno Guimaraes is my ideal signing. I think he's absolutely perfect as a Rodri replacement and partner potentially," said McInerney. "A phenomenal footballer, complete, aggressive with duels, progressive passes, can step forward and create goals, he's brilliant, has Premier League experience, a leader, a captain, he'd be my ideal signing. I think City will be sniffing around him."
"I understand if Newcastle don't want to let Bruno go. It's rumoured that they have financial issues. They are denied from some quarters so I don't know how true it all is, but money does talk and even though he's their captain and is very happy there, I think he'd snap City's hand off if he was offered to play in their midfield alongside the likes of [Kevin] De Bruyne.
"I don't think Newcastle want £100m for Guimaraes now, I think they would take around £80m which is still an awful lot of money and he's 27 years old, but he can still play for many years yet.
"I don't think the move will happen in January, but I'd be amazed if City don't enquire anyway because I think it's needs must."
Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi and Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton are two more midfielders who have been linked with Man City, the latter of whom has been described as a "technically gifted young midfielder" by McInerney who could "grow an awful lot" when playing alongside star lynchpin Rodri once he returns from injury.
Meanwhile, McInerney has shared his views on another of Man City's alleged targets in Real Valladolid's 18-year-old centre-back Juma Bah, and has also talked up the possibility of Guardiola strengthening his options at full-back with the additions of Nottingham Forest's Ola Aina and Fulham's Antonee Robinson, two standout Premier League performers this season.
Press play on the video at the top of this article to hear the full discussion.
Oliver Thomas
