BREAKING: Man City miss out on first January transfer target as La Liga star rejects move

Manchester City’s January transfer plans have hit an early hurdle as Pep Guardiola’s top midfield target, Martin Zubimendi, has rejected a move to the Premier League club. City had hoped to sign the 25-year-old Real Sociedad midfielder following the news of Rodri Hernandez’s long-term injury. Guardiola confirmed that his squad “needs help in January,” with the team struggling in the Premier League.

Zubimendi was considered the ideal replacement for Rodri, who is set to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing knee surgery. Despite intense interest from City, Zubimendi, who had previously rejected a move to Liverpool in the summer, has opted to stay at Real Sociedad.

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QUOTES:
Guardiola addressed his plans after City’s 2-0 win against Leicester City, stating:
“We are looking for players to help us in January. We have injuries and need more depth in the squad. With Rodri out for a long time, we need a player who can fill that gap. We’ll keep searching.”

Reports suggest that Zubimendi was always City’s No.1 target, but the midfielder has made it clear he is not moving this winter.

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RECALL:
Zubimendi was heavily linked with a move to Liverpool earlier in the year when the Reds were ready to activate his £51m release clause.

However, he turned down the move and remained with Sociedad. City was hoping to convince him to move to Manchester, but according to reports, the player’s stance has not changed. His contract with Sociedad runs until 2027, and the club has refused to lower his release clause.

Now, City will look elsewhere to strengthen their squad. One option could be Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes, who has also been linked with a move to the Etihad.

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CITATIONS:
Reports from TBR Football and The Athletic confirm that Zubimendi has no plans to leave Sociedad during this transfer window. The club will only entertain offers that meet the £51m release clause, and Zubimendi’s contract remains intact until 2027.

KEEP IN MIND:
Guardiola’s comments suggest that City is feeling the strain of a challenging season. The team has faced inconsistent results, and with key injuries, including Rodri’s absence, the club needs fresh talent to remain competitive. While Zubimendi’s decision is a blow, City will likely turn their attention to other targets as the window progresses.

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