Manchester City is in crisis, with only one win, one draw, and six losses in their last eight Premier League matches, accumulating just 28 points after 18 rounds and ranking seventh. To overcome this slump, winter transfer window acquisitions are crucial. On December 29th, The Daily Mail revealed that Pep Guardiola has listed five potential signings, aiming to bring in three top players during the winter window.
With Rodri suffering a serious injury, Gundogan, Grealish, and De Bruyne underperforming, and Stones, Ruben Dias, and Ake all experiencing injuries, Manchester City needs to invest heavily in rebuilding. The Daily Mail understands that the financially strong Manchester City is willing to spend big to refresh its squad. Guardiola has also compiled a list of five targets:
Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, valued at 60 million euros by Transfermarkt. This organizing midfielder is being watched by several giants like Barcelona, Liverpool, and Real Madrid.
Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle, valued at 80 million euros. Manchester City attempted to sign Guimaraes last summer but was unsuccessful.
Musiala from Bayern Munich, valued at 140 million euros. Musiala is an attacking midfielder who has scored 9 goals and provided 3 assists in 13 Bundesliga games this season, as well as 2 goals and 3 assists in 6 Champions League games, making him a potential successor to De Bruyne.
Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, also valued at 140 million euros. Wirtz can play as an attacking midfielder or winger, scoring 7 goals and providing 7 assists in 15 Bundesliga games this season, and 5 goals and 1 assist in 6 Champions League games.
Guehi from Crystal Palace, a central defender valued at 45 million euros. He was the starting center-back for England in the 2024 European Championship.
The total value of these five players is close to an astonishing 470 million euros. However, The Daily Mail also points out that it will not be easy for Manchester City to sign any of them: Zubimendi does not want to leave in the winter window, and it is unlikely that Musiala and Wirtz will depart in January next year. Newcastle's offer of 70 million pounds for Guehi was rejected this summer, indicating the significant challenge Manchester City faces in the winter transfer market.
The Daily Mail reports that Manchester City aims to "achieve three objectives" in the January winter window next year to reverse their current decline. In January and the summer next year, Manchester City plans to sign one central defender, one full-back, two midfielders, and two forwards, all of whom are top-level players.
Guardiola is very eager for reinforcements in the winter window: "We must bring in new players; this is absolutely necessary. We are struggling in defense and midfield, and we need new additions, but I don't know if we can achieve this, as winter transfers are not easy."