Manchester City are reportedly eyeing ambitious moves for Bundesliga stars Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz as part of a significant January transfer window overhaul. Pep Guardiola is determined to reverse his team’s poor form and push City back into contention for Champions League qualification.
Manchester City’s Struggles This Season
The 2024-25 campaign has been far from smooth for the reigning Premier League champions, who have secured just one win in their last 13 games across all competitions. Their Boxing Day frustrations continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw by mid-table Everton, with Bernardo Silva’s opener canceled out by Iliman Ndiaye.
Heading into their clash against Leicester City on Sunday, the Citizens find themselves in an uncharacteristic seventh place, 14 points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.
Guardiola’s Five-Man Transfer Wishlist
According to The Times, Guardiola is preparing for a busy January transfer window to address his squad’s shortcomings. The report suggests that the Spanish tactician has outlined a five-man wishlist, with Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala and Bayer Leverkusen’s Florian Wirtz as the marquee targets.
Bundesliga Duo in City’s Sights
Musiala, one of Bayern’s brightest talents, and Wirtz, a key creative force for Leverkusen, are seen as potential game-changers for City’s attacking and midfield dynamics. Both players bring versatility, technical prowess, and youth to a City side in desperate need of fresh energy.
Other Targets on Guardiola’s Radar
In addition to Musiala and Wirtz, Manchester City are reportedly pursuing:
- Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace): A young and composed defender who could strengthen City’s backline.
- Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United): A dynamic midfielder with Premier League experience.
Martin Zubimendi (Real Sociedad): A disciplined midfielder capable of anchoring City’s midfield, particularly with Rodri sidelined for the remainder of the season due to injury.
READ ALSO: West Ham United vs. Liverpool: Arne Slot Eyes Crucial Win to Cement Premier League Title Bid
Midfield Reinforcements Take Priority
With Rodri’s absence leaving a significant gap in City’s midfield, finding a replacement is a top priority. Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis have struggled to fill the void, leaving City vulnerable in the center of the park. Zubimendi is reportedly a primary target, though convincing him to leave Real Sociedad in January could be challenging, give the Spaniard rejected Liverpool’s advances last summer.
What’s Next for Manchester City?
Manchester City are expected to sign at least three players in January, with Guardiola eyeing a long-term rebuild to reinvigorate his squad. While financial outlays in January are set to be substantial, an even larger transfer push is anticipated during the summer.
Final Thoughts
With high-profile targets like Musiala and Wirtz on Guardiola’s radar, Manchester City fans can expect an exciting January transfer window. However, with the club currently trailing in the Premier League standings, the pressure is on Guardiola to turn their season around quickly.
