Man City won’t sign anyone in January transfer window, Pep Guardiola confirms

After a slow start to the season, City have hit form in recent weeks and have climbed to second in the Premier League

Andy Hampson
Tuesday 19 January 2021 11:30 GMT
Comments
Man City manager Pep Guardiola
Man City manager Pep Guardiola (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Pep Guardiola has said Manchester City will not be making any new signings in the January transfer window.

After a slow start to the season, City have hit form in recent weeks and have climbed to second in the Premier League after a run of five successive wins.

Their growing momentum has also seen them reach the final of the Carabao Cup, the fourth round of the FA Cup and the last 16 of the Champions League.

The only notable area of weakness this term has been at centre forward, with both Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus missing a large number of games due to injuries and coronavirus-related self-isolation.

With no specialist senior back-up, Guardiola's alternatives have been deploying winger Ferran Torres as a makeshift striker, Kevin De Bruyne or Raheem Sterling as 'false nines' or giving a chance to 17-year-old Liam Delap.

But Guardiola told beIN Sports: "We will not sign any deal during the winter transfer market. We did not discuss this, but we will end the season with the players that we have now."

Guardiola accepts there have been times when the lack of a centre forward has been noticeable, but he is convinced there is enough quality in the squad to ensure it is not a major issue.

"This is one of our ways," he said. "There were matches where we needed an attacker but at that time two of them were injured.

"One had been injured for a long time - Sergio Aguero. The other two had the coronavirus.

"That's why we sometimes play in this way, other times we are forced to do that because of a pressing need.

"It's an alternative plan, which we can rely on given the talents we have in the various positions."

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in