Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has suggested that the club could enter the January transfer market, breaking their usual pattern of avoiding mid-season signings. With the defending champions struggling due to injuries and inconsistent form, Guardiola admitted “special circumstances” might force City to reconsider their stance.
City have signed only one player in January since Guardiola took over in 2016 — Aymeric Laporte in 2018. That deal, made possible by a release clause, addressed a specific need. However, Guardiola acknowledged that finding the right player mid-season is much harder due to high prices and clubs’ reluctance to sell key players.
RECALL:
Manchester City’s campaign has been plagued by injuries to crucial players. Rodri has been ruled out for the rest of the year, while key defenders like Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake have faced fitness setbacks. This has led to a cycle where overworked players are struggling to maintain form or picking up new injuries, forcing Guardiola to shuffle his squad repeatedly.
City’s struggles have been reflected in their results, with a poor run of form in the Premier League and a shaky position in the Champions League. Guardiola believes a fully fit squad is good enough to compete, but the current injury crisis has left the club exploring their options.
QUOTES:
Guardiola highlighted the challenges of making signings in January, explaining:
“It’s not easy to do that. Teams don’t sell; maybe it has to be players who don’t play. They don’t want to sell, and they are so expensive.”
He added, “We’re not a big fan of the winter market, but the circumstances this season have been special. If we can find something long-term, we’ll consider it. Otherwise, we’ll wait until the summer.”
CITATIONS:
Pep Guardiola, Pre-Match Press Conference, December 20, 2024
KEEP IN MIND:
Manchester City’s transfer strategy is typically focused on the summer window, but this season’s unique challenges may lead to a change.
Any January signing would likely be a long-term addition rather than a quick fix, as the club aims to stabilize their campaign and maintain their push for silverware.
