Manchester City trail Arsenal by two points in the Premier League table and the January transfer window could provide an opportunity to move the needle.
January is almost upon us and, as such, speculation will surely run rampant as the winter transfer window opens. Pep Guardiola’s side spent £180 million last January, their record ever outlay in a winter window.
What transfer activity can be expected from Man City this January?
Incomings
In a strong position in both the Premier League and the Champions League, it is clear that City’s squad is in a good spot. However, Pep Guardiola’s regular reiterations that his team ‘need to improve’, suggest that January signings will not be off the cards. The Blues have already been linked to one major move.
Antoine Semenyo has been on scintillating form this season, earning the admiration of top clubs including Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United. “Antoine could play wherever he likes,” his former coach told us. Despite this, it is City who are leading the race for the Ghanian’s signature. Although the winger only signed a contract extension last July, he will be available for £65 million next month.
Having already tallied eight goals and three assists, the 25-year-old ranks joint-third in the Premier League for goals and assists. Just Erling Haaland and Phil Foden have netted more than three times in the league for Guardiola’s side, and Semenyo would certainly bring an added goal threat to the Etihad.
Aside from Semenyo, it is not clear who else City might target this winter. The Blues hold interest in long-term targets such as Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and Chelsea’s Josh Acheampong. However there is little chance of those deals materialising next month.
Marc Guehi is another name that has been linked with a move to the Etihad. The England international had been on the verge of joining Liverpool in the summer, but that deal ultimately fell through. The centre-back’s Crystal Palace contract is set to expire in the summer and a number of top clubs are hoping to sign him on a free transfer. City are amongst those keen on the 25-year-old and would explore a January deal, should Palace decide to cash in.
Outgoings
There are a number of City players that could look for an exit this winter, especially with the 2026 World Cup looming. Should Semenyo arrive, then that would almost certainly open the door for one of Oscar Bobb, Savinho or Omar Marmoush to depart.
Game time has been limited for Bobb, who has played just 13 league minutes in the past two months. The Norwegian has also struggled to impress when afforded the opportunity to get on the pitch. The winger has recorded no goals and just one assist, which came on the opening day of the season. The 22-year-old could search for more regular football, with Crystal Palace amongst those interested.
Savinho has also failed to reach double figures for starts across all competitions. The Brazilian had been close to joining Tottenham for £70 million in the summer. However, the 21-year-old ultimately stayed at the Etihad, extending his contract until 2031. “He will become a top, top class player,” Guardiola recently insisted. However with the arrival of another winger, he may once again explore other options. Spurs are likely to renew their interest.
Marmoush only arrived in Manchester last January, and yet he could already be on the way out. The Egyptian’s quality is evident but his position in Guardiola’s team remains unclear. Haaland occupies the striker spot, with other options are seemingly preferred out wide and in the number ten position. A knee injury has also added to his disrupted start this term, and the forward has not started in the league since August. Clubs including Liverpool and Tottenham would be interested in Marmoush, should he become available.
Aside from the attackers, there could also be some defensive exits from the Etihad next month. Nathan Ake has been with City for almost five years now. However, he no longer holds a starting spot in Guardiola’s back four. With the World Cup on the horizon, game time will be a priority for the Dutchman. With just a solitary league start so far this campaign, it is likely that the defender will explore other options in January. Both Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have been linked with the 30-year-old.
A goalkeeper departure is also likely next month. James Trafford arrived in the summer but quickly lost the number one spot when Gianluigi Donnarumma was signed. Despite this, Guardiola has urged the ‘incredible goalkeeper’ to ‘stay here’ next month. The door will still be open for Stefan Ortega to leave, since the German has dropped further down the pecking order.