Manchester City's journey this season has been full of ups and downs. When everyone was still immersed in the joy of their 3-0 home victory over Nottingham Forest, reality dealt them a harsh blow. In the past month, the team has fallen into a quagmire of five consecutive winless matches, causing great anxiety among the club's top management.
It is well known that such a decline in performance undoubtedly touches the bottom line of the championship race in the highly competitive Premier League. Faced with problems emerging one after another, Manchester City's management could no longer sit idly by and decided to take a "gamble" during the winter transfer window.
British media sources have revealed that Manchester City has set its sights firmly on Serie A giants Inter Milan, with rumors even suggesting they plan to "empty" Inter's squad. It is said that in order to acquire their desired players, Manchester City is prepared to invest a large sum of money, with Lautaro expected to join the Etihad Stadium at a high price. Moreover, Manchester City has also targeted Barella. This series of significant news has caused a huge stir in the European football scene.
Manchester City's recent winless streak has exposed the weaknesses of the team. Taking the offense as an example, since the departure of Alvarez, the team's attack seems to have lost a key engine. When he was there, his partnership with Haaland formed a formidable front-line "double gun," capable of wreaking havoc on the opponent's defense. However, now, opponents only need to tightly mark Haaland, and Manchester City's frontline goes silent. According to analysis by Premier League data experts, in recent matches, when Haaland is under tight defense, Manchester City's average number of goals scored per game has significantly dropped, greatly reducing their offensive efficiency. No wonder Guardiola is so anxious, exerting pressure on the upper management to demand reinforcements during the winter transfer window.
It is rumored that Manchester City has been paying close attention to Lautaro for a long time, who Guardiola sees as the perfect replacement for his Argentine compatriot Alvarez. Lautaro's performance this season with Inter Milan is evident for all to see, having played 15 league games, scoring 6 goals and contributing 2 assists, maintaining a consistent "online" state. He is technically comprehensive, with flexible positioning, precise shooting skills, and can also drop back to participate in organizing play, revitalizing the midfield. Some fans discussed on forums, saying, "If Lautaro joins Manchester City, the offensive firepower will definitely increase significantly, and paired with Haaland, it will be tough for Premier League defenders."
Looking at the defensive midfield position, Manchester City also has its eyes on Barella, valued at 80 million. When Rodri was in excellent form in earlier years, Manchester City only observed Barella. Now, with Rodri suffering from frequent injuries and inconsistent form, Barella's superior running coverage and decent long-range shooting ability have become extremely attractive. A sports commentator from The Times pointed out, "Barella's arrival may reshape the toughness of Manchester City's midfield, allowing the team to gain an advantage in midfield battles, much like Kante did for Chelsea in the past."
For these two players, Manchester City has made a significant decision, rumored to be preparing a 200 million euro offer. At the same time, they also plan to clean out veterans like Nunez, Walker, and De Bruyne, whose form has declined. Although De Bruyne was once the core of the team, now plagued by frequent injuries, his competitive form is indeed not what it used to be. This move has received both applause and concern; some believe it is a bold move, while others worry about the difficulty of integrating new signings and the impact on morale due to the departure of old players. Regardless, Manchester City's gamble in the winter transfer window has begun, and success or failure will depend on the subsequent integration process.