Man City devise January transfer plan with duo eyed to replace Rodri

Manchester City are prepared to deviate from their usual strategy by splashing the cash in the upcoming January transfer window.

City typically conduct their transfer business in the summer, but a string of seven losses in 10 games has left their season teetering on the brink in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Pep Guardiola is set to be given the go-ahead to spend big in the New Year, following the accumulation of over £250million from player sales in the past two years. City’s main aim is to secure a commanding defensive midfielder to fill the gap left by Rodri’s season-ending knee injury.

They have their sights set on Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Atalanta’s Ederson – neither of whom will come cheap.

Guardiola also has his eye on a forward to ease the burden on Erling Haaland, after failing to find a replacement for Julian Alvarez when he transferred to Atletico Madrid in an £82million deal last summer.

Kyle Walker’s significant dip in form could prompt City to seek a new right-back. The last major winter market acquisition for City was Aymeric Laporte, who joined from Athletic Bilbao in a £57million deal in January 2018.

Argentine youngster Claudio Echeverri is set to bolster Guardiola’s squad when he joins on New Year’s Day, having spent the last year on loan with River Plate following a £13million move last year.

City now face a battle to revive their title hopes and secure a spot in the Champions League’s last 16.

Guardiola’s team, Manchester City, are set to face local rivals United in the Manchester derby on Sunday. The club’s disappointing European campaign has already cost them nearly £6million in prize money.

With only two victories from their first six Champions League matches, alongside two draws and two losses, City have not performed as expected. Each group stage win brings in £1.73million and each draw £580,000, meaning City have only secured £5.76m of the available £10.76m.

In contrast, Liverpool have pocketed the full amount after winning their first six games and could add another £3.46million if they maintain their winning streak in the final two games. City appear to be heading for a play-off in their quest to reach the last 16.

They currently sit 22nd in the table with upcoming fixtures against Paris St Germain and Club Brugge. The 16 teams entering the play-offs will receive an additional £820,000 from UEFA.

Any club that progresses into the last 16 will claim a further £9.1million in prize money. City have made it to the Champions League knock-out stages for the past 11 seasons and won the European Cup for the first time in 2023.

Failing to reach the last 16 would be a significant setback for both the club’s prestige and its finances.