This winter transfer window has seen Manchester City go on a spending spree. Players like Marmoush, Huseynov, and Reis are very close to joining the club. However, Pep Guardiola still has his sights set on other targets. On January 12th, British media outlet Football Insider exclusively revealed that Guardiola is interested in signing Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni, and Manchester City has prepared the necessary funds.
As the reigning champions of the Premier League for four consecutive years, Manchester City is showing signs of collapse this season, trailing Liverpool by as many as 12 points in the league and underperforming in the Champions League. Key players such as Grealish, Walker, De Bruyne, and Gundogan are not performing at their previous levels.
Guardiola realizes that Manchester City needs to rebuild. The club has already started this process during the winter transfer window. Target players include Uzbekistani central defender Huseynov from Lorient, Brazilian defender Reis from Palmeiras, and Frankfurt forward Marmoush. According to authoritative journalist Fabrizio Romano, Huseynov has already confirmed his move, while the transfers of Reis and Marmoush are in progress.
In addition to these "three signings," Guardiola also wants to strengthen the defense. Exclusive information from Football Insider reveals that Guardiola has his eye on Real Madrid's Tchouameni.
The soon-to-be 25-year-old Tchouameni is a versatile player for Real Madrid, capable of playing as a defensive midfielder or as a center-back, having made 22 appearances for the club this season. After Rodri's serious injury, Manchester City urgently wants to sign a defensive midfielder, and Tchouameni has entered their consideration. Transfermarkt values Tchouameni at 80 million euros, which was also the transfer fee when the French star joined Real Madrid in 2022. Football Insider reports that Manchester City has prepared the funds to help Guardiola bring in Tchouameni.
However, Football Insider also points out that it is highly unlikely that Real Madrid will let Tchouameni go during the winter window. With only one healthy central defender, Rudiger, in their squad, young Raul Asensio recently promoted to the first team and needing time to grow and adapt, Alaba not fully recovered, and Militao out for the season, Real Madrid still relies on Tchouameni to continue playing as a center-back. If Guardiola wants to secure Tchouameni, he will have to wait until at least this summer.