Pep Guardiola confirms Manchester City’s January transfer window plans

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed the club’s current plans for the January transfer window.

The treble-winners lost attacking trio Ilkay Gundogan, Riyad Mahrez and Cole Palmer during the summer transfer window, and have been without Kevin De Bruyne for the entirety of the campaign after the Belgian underwent surgery for a hamstring injury.

Manchester City have often been reluctant to make major transfer moves during the January window, with Aymeric Laporte the Blues’ last major first-team addition, back in 2018.

Guardiola’s side are currently facing stiff competition to their Premier League crown, as Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa all pose a major threat to the Blues’ pursuit of a record-breaking fourth consecutive title.

A surprise four-match winless run dented Manchester City’s title hopes, with the Etihad outfit currently four points behind league leaders Liverpool ahead of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures.

Manchester City could move to within one point of the Merseyside club with a win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, ahead of Liverpool hosting Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.

After a clash against Palace, City don’t play a Premier League fixture until after Christmas due to FIFA Club World participation, and despite focus on the five matches between now and the new year, the January transfer window looms.

Kalvin Phillips looks set to depart the Etihad Stadium in search of regular minutes ahead of the European Championship in Germany next summer, with the Englishman having made just two starts for Manchester City this season.

Argentine full-back Valentin Barco has also been linked with a move to Manchester City from South America, with the potential for the teenager to move to the Etihad Stadium before being sent out on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Asked about plans for the January transfer window ahead of Saturday’s match against Crystal Palace, Guardiola remained tight-lipped on Manchester City’s intentions.

“No. Right now, I don’t have anything in my mind. It depends on if they leave, or don’t leave. I don’t know.

“Some players stay, or some players leave, it depends on the amount in the squad, it depends on the young players we rely on them or not for some moments, we will see.

“I don’t think about that [transfers] for one second. Txiki [Begiristain] is in this role for this. We talk, but now we have a lot of games, and many, many important ones and I’m focussed on that.”

Manchester City are currently scheduled to play only three matches next month, with games against Newcastle United and Burnley in the Premier League, as well as an FA Cup third round tie against Huddersfield Town.