Tom Weber
Tom Weber
Updated: 2 Dec 2024 16:08 GMT
5 min read
Pep Guardiola, Man City, 2024/25
© IMAGO
Manchester City are set for their biggest January window in recent memory.
Pep Guardiola's usually unbeatable serial champions are miles off the pace in the Premier League after losing star midfielder Rodri to a potentially season-ending ACL injury.
The Ballon d'Or winner was the glue that held Man City's team together and Guardiola has struggled to find any kind of midfield balance without the Spaniard.
READ MORE: Five players who could join Man Utd in January
Moreover, Erling Haaland hasn't always been at his prolific best this season, which has made the decision to sell Julian Alvarez in the summer without signing a replacement look questionable, to say the least.
Below, FootballTransfers takes a look at five players Man City could sign in January...
Martin Zubimendi
© IMAGO - Martin Zubimendi
Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad)
Starting off with potential Rodri replacements, first up is Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi. One of Europe's most highly regarded defensive midfielders, the Euro 2024 winner has a €60 million release clause in his contract.
His relatively affordable price tag - if you're an elite side, that is - has made him an attractive 'market opportunity' but the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool have already failed to convince Zubimendi to leave his boyhood club for England.
Man City could try their luck in January, but it seems doubtful that he would abandon the side he so adores mid-season.
Moreover, Rodri is the man who has kept Zubimendi out of Spain's starting line-up, so it would take some convincing to get him to potentially play second fiddle to his compatriot at club level too.
READ MORE: Latest Man City transfer news
Samuele Ricci (Torino)
Likely a much more attainable target is Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci. The 23-year-old has gone from strength to strength in Serie A and is now regarded as one of Italy's best players in his position.
When fit, Ricci has been a regular under Azzurri boss Luciano Spaletti and he stole the show when Italy claimed a historic victory over France in Paris in early September 2024.
Man City have been repeatedly linked with Ricci and he appears to be the most realistic Rodri replacement on the market.
Douglas Luiz
© IMAGO - Douglas Luiz
Douglas Luiz (Juventus)
On the other side of Turin, a familiar face has struggled to come to grips with Italian football. Former Man City prospect Douglas Luiz - who never actually played for them due to work permit issues - only joined Juventus in the summer but has failed to impress.
However, prior to his move, Luiz was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, making him a potential wildcard Rodri replacement. He is much more mobile than Mateo Kovacic and more robust than Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes while also being capable of playing every midfield role.
An underrated aspect of Rodri's game - and something City sorely lack without him - is to know when to foul opponents and stop opposition attacks and no Premier League player committed more fouls in 2023/24 than Luiz at Aston Villa.
Gabri Veiga (Al-Ahli)
Further forward, Man City are in the market for potential long-term replacements for Kevin de Bruyne, who is out of contract at the end of the season.
Jamal Musiala seems unattainable, whole Florian Wirtz will also be extremely hard - and expensive - to get. Instead, Man City have been linked with Gabri Veiga, who was once regarded as one of the biggest talents in LaLiga.
After a breakout season with Celta Vigo, Veiga had the world at his feet but he made the surprising decision to join Saudi Pro League giants Al-Ahli in 2023. Reports have claimed that he now wants to return to Europe and Man City and Real Madrid are said to be keen.
Liam Delap
© IMAGO - Liam Delap
Liam Delap (Ipswich Town)
Man City need a backup to Erling Haaland after deciding against signing a replacement for Julian Alvarez in the summer. In fact, they not only sold the Argentine but also Liam Delap who had been impressing in the Championship.
Ipswich Town snapped up the son of Premier League cult hero Rory Delap and the 21-year-old has been nothing short of a revelation for the Tractor Boys.
Physical, brazen and clinical in front of goal, Delap has become a fan favourite and a 'proper Barclaysman' just like his father. Clubs have taken note too with all of the Premier League's big boys scouting him this season.
City, however, generally include matching rights or buy-back clauses in most sales of academy talents and it is believed that this was also the case with Delap, giving them an advantage over the competition.
Whether he is willing to play second fiddle to Haaland is a different question, of course.