What to expect from Manchester City in the January transfer window

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Manchester City are in the process of trying to win back their Premier League crown from Liverpool and finally secure the Champions League title that they have been dreaming of.

Their early season progress has been distinctly mixed, with only eight wins from 15 league matches, a paltry figure by their high standards.

Nevertheless, with their biggest rivals all struggling to an equal degree, Pep Guardiola’s side remain firmly in the mix with regards to the title picture.

Will they try to enhance their squad over the course of January, then, or will they settle for some small tweaks to their ranks after five successive wins in all competitions?

Manchester City’s January priorities

In reality, Manchester City are unlikely to do a great deal with their squad over the course of the month.

Indeed, perhaps the most significant piece of business that they will be able to do is to talk Kevin De Bruyne into a contract extension. The Belgium international playmaker is poised to reject the club’s first offer. Pep Guardiola has indicated that he is “not worried” about the state of play in that regard.

Centre-back Eric Garcia continues to be linked with a move to Barcelona. While City are open to selling him, it looks unlikely that the Catalans will be able to come up with a package that matches their expectations.

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Any other business?

Man City may be expected to farm out numerous young players on loan, but in reality that is unlikely. The club are dubious that such a technique works in terms of getting players to the required standards. Instead, they are hopeful they can make an impression in the first team, like Phil Foden has managed lately.

The likes of Cole Palmer, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Tommy Doyle, who have been training with the main squad, are not expected to depart the club.

City, though, will loan some players out if they request to leave.

It is likely to be a very low-key January at the Etihad Stadium.