-Credit:Reach Publishing Services Limited
Manchester City head into the January transfer window actively seeking to add to their squad.
In a break from windows past, the Blues are prepared to strengthen next month to bolster the ranks in a bid to revitalise the season. The weekend win over Leicester City was a welcome one for a City side who have struggled in recent months amid a spectacular fall off in form.
They remain in the top six in the Premier League and are still likely to earn a spot in the play-off round in the Champions League despite having won just two of their half dozen matches thus far. Boss Pep Guardiola is determined to restore City to the summit at home and abroad but accepts he will need a deeper squad to compete on all fronts. That could prompt January activity but it could also see the forward planning that has served City so well in recent years.
READ MORE: ‘I am shocked’ – Gary Neville highlights troubling Man United trend Ruben Amorim must stop
READ MORE: Man United transfer news LIVE – Marcus Rashford latest, Dani Olmo update, Man Utd team news
A host of big names are out of contract in the summer and from January 1, they are free to negotiate new deals. It means that City could orchestrate free transfer moves for talented stars in the coming days. Here we take a look at three who might catch the eye.
Joshua Kimmich
The 29-year-old remains a key player at Bayern under former City captain Vincent Kompany. But no new deal has been agreed and the Germany international worked with Guardiola in Bavaria.
The two have huge respect for each other and Kimmich is a top talent capable of playing in a variety of positions and offering strength to a City squad that needs more competition, particularly in central midfield.
Jonathan David
The Canada international has scored 101 goals in 209 games for Lille. A healthy 17 of those have arrived this season and he’s now netted 43 in 18 months.
At 24, he is a good age and would offer an alternative option to Erling Haaland up front with City light in the striker department having allowed Julian Alvarez to join Atletico Madrid in the summer. David is a different type of striker to Haaland and is blessed with pace and a goalscorer’s instinct.
Plenty of clubs will be watching with interest to see if the striker pens a new deal in France but he would be a shrewd free transfer signing.
Leroy Sane
A familiar name to City fans given his four years at the Etihad. It would be something of a surprise if Guardiola moved for the 28-year-old but he would represent a proven elite performer available for nothing who could add thrust to a forward line that has struggled a touch this term.
The Germany international has reportedly caught the eye of Arsenal and former City coach Mikel Arteta while Bayern Munich will try and tie him down to fresh terms.