Man City transfer news – Three key areas for Pep Guardiola to address

Pep Guardiola praises Kevin De Bruyne

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has already suggested that transfer business may be kept to a minimum during the January window. That doesn’t mean that he won’t be busy, however, as the Sky Blues look to maximise their chances of closing the gap on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. 

City kicked off their competitive comeback with an impressive 3-2 win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Thursday. Erling Haaland came back fresh and rested after Norway missed out on the World Cup and he was straight back among the goals as he stole in front of Joe Gomez at the front post. 

That could bode well for Guardiola’s bid to make a dent in the five-point gap between City and Arsenal, with the season approaching its halfway mark. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has already acknowledged that they could go big in January to give themselves the best possible chance of holding off the reigning Premier League champions. 

With that in mind, Express Sport takes you through three key things on Guardiola’s to-do list over the five coming weeks…

JUST IN: Four stars who may be Arsenal’s big signing after ecstatic fans spot tell-tale Edu sign

Sign an established left-back

Guardiola has already stated in black-and-white terms that he doesn’t expect any significant transfer business to be conducted in January. Arsenal’s Premier League lead and ambition in the window could cause him to backtrack, however, with the prospect of a hat-trick of Premier League titles at stake. 

City boast a broadly complete squad but a potential area of improvement is at left-back. Joao Cancelo can be hugely effective there but fans remain suspicious about the long-term benefit of having two right-footed players on the same flank, presuming Jack Grealish is fielded further up. 

Nathan Ake can also feature on the left side of defence but he is naturally a centre-back, while Sergio Gomez and Josh Wilson-Esbrand are both exciting but inexperienced prospects. City have previously been linked with the likes of Borna Sosa, Raphael Guerreiro and Rayan Ait-Nouri. 

DON’T MISS…
Klopp responds to Carragher’s ‘outrageous’ Liverpool takeover claim
Gakpo to Man Utd could be held up by major issue after Felix ‘plan’
Arsenal fans convinced big signing on horizon after Edu Instagram post

Jude Bellingham negotiations

Although it doesn’t concern a deal that would go through in January, Guardiola and co could still use the month to try and get ahead on negotiations for Jude Bellingham. The England and Borussia Dortmund sensation is at the centre of a blockbuster three-way transfer battle between City, Liverpool and Real Madrid, which is expected to reach its crescendo in the summer of 2023. 

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is reportedly pushing hard for the deal, and a move to Anfield would mean a reunion with Three Lions pal Jordan Henderson. Los Blancos have always held sway in the market but City have recently tied down Guardiola’s future and they have Bellingham’s old Dortmund team-mate, Erling Haaland, which could be key to any progress made after the New Year. 

Loan out a youngster

Having invested significantly in their academy set-up, City are now beginning to reap the benefits with the likes of Phil Foden and Cole Palmer making an impact on the first team. There is hope for Taylor Harwood-Bellis and James McAtee to soon do the same, with the pair out on loan gaining valuable experience at Burnley and Sheffield United respectively. 

Guardiola could therefore be wise to seek out possible loan destinations for more City stars during the January window. Left-back prospect Wilson-Esbrand and teenage winger Carlos Borges are two of the leading candidates, should the Spaniard decide to let them temporarily fly the nest. 

Source: Read Full Article