After a bad run of form in the Premier League in the last few months, it’s no surprise to see Manchester City safe Pep Guardiola exploring the market to try to strengthen his squad.
Citizens continued a series of just one win in the last 13 games before making it three straight wins over the past week as they look to salvage what they can from the 2024/25 campaign.
They currently sit sixth in the Premier League, six points behind second-placed Arsenal, and Champions League qualification is likely still on the cards despite their poor recent form.
With 18 league games remaining between now and the end of the campaign, anything is possible for Guardiola’s men – but it looks like they may have to concede the league title to Liverpool with 12 points to play and a game in hand.
However, the new additions could give the squad a new boost, while opening the door for a number of players to leave the Etihad for a new challenge.
The latest Manchester City transfer information
Following Saturday night’s 8-0 FA Cup defeat by Salford City in League Two, Guardiola confirmed that full-back Kyle Walker has missed the clash after submitting a transfer request a few days before.
The 34-year-old is undoubtedly nearing the end of his professional career, is likely to have one last payday and is reportedly one of AC Milan’s side exploring move for the representative of England.
Since his move in 2017, he has been a fantastic servant to City, achieving over 300 performances and winning countless trophies – but it looks like his time at the club is now coming to an end.
As for incoming, this was confirmed by journalist Fabrizio Romano the deal was getting closer for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush after personal terms were agreed with the Egyptian forward.
The 25-year-old who scored 14 Bundesliga goals in 16 gamesthere is Price €80m (£67m). on his head, but Romano confirmed that there have been positive talks between the two clubs, and an agreement is expected next week.
However, Marmoush may not be the last deal done by management in January, with rumors of a potential deal for another star in the coming weeks.
Focus transfer
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Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City dream upgrade
Belgian international Kevin De Bruyne he would end his career as one of the best midfielders to ever grace the English Premier League with his incredible range of passing allowing him countless goals during his time in Manchester.
He joined City ua A £55m deal from Wolfsburg back in the summer of 2015 and beyond have more than 400 performances during his nearly decade as a player at the Etihad.
De Bruyne has registered 165 assists – averaging one every 2.4 games he’s appeared in over a 10-year span – an incredible feat, but like Walker, the 33-year-old enters his final years as a professional with injuries that have begun to creep in frequently.
As a result, rumors have linked the Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala about the move to the Etihad they persisted with the latest coming last week from German edition of BILD.
His current contract with the German giants expires in the summer of 2026opening the door to a potential move to the Premier League to join Guardiola’s side either in this window or in the near future.
Comparing his stats to current star De Bruyne, the 21-year-old vastly outshines the experienced ace, potentially the perfect player to replace the fans’ favorite in the North West.
Musiala, which was previously called “one of the best players in the world” of Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer, registered more combined goals and assists in the 2024/25 season, offering the likes of Erling Haaland and potentially Marmoush more opportunities to add to their already goal-scoring tally.
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How Musiala compares to De Bruyne in the 2024/25 season |
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|---|---|---|
|
Statistics (at 90) |
She had to |
De Bruyne |
|
Games played |
13 |
13 |
|
Goals and assists |
11 |
5 |
|
Progressive mounts |
3.6 |
2.6 |
|
Accuracy of shooting at the target |
48% |
29% |
|
Adding accuracy |
82% |
77% |
|
Download complete |
3.3 |
0.9 |
|
Download success |
51% |
47% |
|
Statistics via FBref |
||
German too completed more progressive carries at 90while achieving a higher take-on success rate, having quick feet and the speed to get past opponents, something De Bruyne may struggle to achieve towards the end of his career.
It is a real shame to talk of a potential end for such a fan favorite given all his achievements since joining the club, but it is vital that the hierarchy work quickly to find replacements for such players as their careers wind down.
Musiala – who initially came through Chelsea’s academy – has shown in recent years that he has all the tools to succeed at the highest level for years to come, and the 21-year-old has plenty of time to further develop and cement himself as an elite attacking midfielder.
It is unclear how much a deal for the Bayern star would cost in the current term, but it would be worth testing their resolve given his contract scenario – allowing Pep to land the perfect upgrade on the Belgian superstar.
