Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that he will not bring any new players to Eithad Stadium during the January transfer window - but the club are already preparing to sign five players at the end of the season.
The reigning Premier League champions suffered their latest setback in their defence of the title against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday, where a late strike from Matt Doherty left City empty-handed for the fifth time this season - losing more games than Sheffield United.
Injuries across the pitch have been a headache for Guardiola throughout the season so far, but the Manchester City manager says he will not look for a quick fix by signing players during the January transfer window.
Guardiola might be ruling out a move for any new additions during the January transfer window, but The Athletic report that Manchester City actually want to sign five players when the window re-opens at the end of the season.
The core of City's squad will apparently stay intact as part of their summer rebuild, but it's claimed a number of first-team stars could be at risk of being sold in a ruthless attempt to slimline their squad.
Gabriel Jesus is listed as a player who could be put on the chopping block, while left-back Benjamin Mendy is also at risk of being sold at the end of the season.
Any business from Manchester City in the summer will be made in an attempt to add some freshness to Guardiola's tenure at the club.
Friday's defeat against Wolves has seen City drop 14 points behind Liverpool - who also have a game in hand - at the top of the Premier League table.
With a title defence looking increasingly unlikely, Guardiola is expected to prioritise a good run in the Champions League but they'll face a tough match against Real Madrid in the first round of knockout stage games.
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Source :
90min
