Barring any late surprises, Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo is heading to Manchester City. Pep Guardiola's outfit are prepared to trigger the £65million release clause that is active for the opening days of the January transfer window. Now that market is open, it remains to be seen how quickly that deal will progress.
But who is to say that City's business will finish there? Last year, they brought in a host of players to rejuvenate Guardiola's squad, and once again, they are chasing Premier League leaders Arsenal. Here, Express Sport has taken a look at who we consider the most priority signing at the Etihad this month.
Archie Griggs - Tino Livramento
The right side of defence has been a problem area for City since the decline of Kyle Walker. Rico Lewis is the only true right-back currently on their books, meaning it would be a no-brainer to make a statement signing in the position in January.
Livramento has been linked with City for a while and would be the perfect candidate, bringing star quality and high potential in equal measure. However, it seems unlikely that Newcastle would be prepared to sell the 23-year-old in the middle of the season.
Charlie Malam - Elliot Anderson
It looks like Antoine Semenyo will be the first through the door, but Bernardo Silva is out of contract at the end of the season so City will be acutely aware of their need to sign a new midfielder either this month or in the summer.
It is a deal that may have to wait for July but Anderson would be brilliant for City. An all-action midfielder with sublime technical ability, who is elite on and off the ball and can be used in multiple midfield roles, Anderson could just be the perfect replacement for the Portuguese icon.
It would cost City around £100million but he's English and 23. Pay the premium and he's a City player for the next decade.
Tom Parsons - Antoine Semenyo
Manchester City’s first signing of the January transfer window appears to be virtually done and dusted already, with Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo likely to head to the Etihad Stadium in the early part of the month.
The move is a clever one for City as it will reignite an attack that has become heavily reliant on Erling Haaland.
Semenyo will bring a new energy to Pep Guardiola’s side, as well as a hunger to claim silverware. And the City boss must give the attacker the licence to express himself if he is to be a success in the north west.
Jack McEachen - Marc Guehi
If there is a chance that Marc Guehi leaves Crystal Palace this month, Manchester City need to be all over that possibility.
Even at a significant premium, with the England man set to become a free agent at the end of the season, Guehi would immediately improve City's defence tenfold.
John Stones' fitness can no longer be trusted, Nathan Ake has found himself out of the team, Josko Gvardiol may be better suited at full-back and Abdukodir Khusanov isn't ready at the top level just yet.
Guehi can bring City closer to Arsenal.