EXCLUSIVE Manchester City sets sights on Pep Guardiola former player in January
Manchester City are interested in signing Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich in the January transfer window with the German potentially available for as little as £10million
Pep Guardiola and Joshua Kimmich
Pep Guardiola is a long-time admirer of Joshua Kimmich
Manchester City have added Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich to their January shopping list.
The versatile German international, 29, who can operate in midfield or as a wing back, is out of contract at the end of the season. And that means Kimmich could be available for as little as £10million in next month’s window – and a perfect acquisition for the free-falling English champions.
City boss Pep Guardiola has always admired the player, having been the Bayern boss who brought him to Munich from RB Leipzig in 2015. The Spanish coach, as we reported last weekend, has a £200m kitty to blow in the New Year as he attempts to arrest the worst run of his entire managerial career.
With seven defeats in his last ten games heading into today’s home showdown against Manchester United, he is ready to launch a major overhaul of his squad mid season. And in addition to Bruno Guimaraes, Florian Wirtz and Martin Zubimendi, Kimmich is very much on the radar – despite Bayern coach Vincent Kompany being keen to keep him.
This season has seen City battle a number of injuries in their midfield, with Rodri’s ACL injury a severe blow in the pursuit to win a fifth consecutive Premier League title. Ilkay Gundogan’s return to the Etihad from Barcelona has coincided with a regression in his physical ability, with Rico Lewis equally unable to match the level of Rodri alongside the German.
Martin Zubimendi
Liverpool came close to signing Martin Zubimendi in the summer
Zubimendi remains on the radar of both Liverpool and Arsenal, the former of which believed they had a deal wrapped up for the Real Sociedad star this past summer, only for the Spaniard to turn them down in favour of remaining in the Basque Country.
It was he who replaced City star Rodri during the second half of the European Championship final against England, with Zubimendi impressing in the place of the midfielder who went on to win the Ballon D’or last month.
Manchester City head into the Boxing Day fixtures four points outside of the Champions League qualification places in the Premier League
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has insisted that he wants to add new players to his squad in the January transfer window – and has revealed even his players are asking about the club’s plans amid their current struggling form.
Guardiola’s side find themselves on a rotten run in recent weeks having won just one of their last 12 matches in all competitions. Such a disastrous spell has left City floundering in the title race and four points off fourth-placed Nottingham Forest.
Next Wednesday, the January transfer window opens allowing City the opportunity to strengthen their team if they so wish. Winter is infamously tricky for clubs to strengthen as the pressures off Financial Fair Play (FFP) weigh heavy.
However, after spending frugally in the summer, it is believed that this is not an issue for Guardiola and his team. Speaking ahead of the clash with Everton on Boxing Day, the Catalan head coach was asked by Stuart Pearce on Amazon Prime whether he wanted to add to his squad next month.
City’s boss replied: “If we can, we have to add players, definitely. We struggle especially at the back, in the middle.
“Saying that, I don’t know what is going to happen in the transfer window. In winter time it is not easy, but everyone is aware even the players ask themselves: ‘Oh, are we going to add some players please.’”
As mentioned, City find themselves struggling to keep pace with the leaders in the Premier League table. Ahead of the halfway stage, Guardiola’s side sit 12 points behind Liverpool who also have a game in hand.
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