Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has been reportedly told by his bosses that he needs to sell players before he can make new signings in January.
According to The Mirror, the Italian wants to add two new players to his squad next month - a midfielder and a striker.
However, the Premier League champions' Arab owners have one eye on the Financial Fair Play rules and do not want to spend extra money in January.
It has been reported that Mancini is keen on signing Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and could let go of Edin Dzeko to recruit the Dutchman next month.