January could be a busy month for Manchester City. Typically, City prefers not to do business during the January transfer window. Inflated transfer fees tend to see Manchester City stay out of the win...
January could be a busy month for Manchester City. Typically, City prefers not to do business during the January transfer window. Inflated transfer fees tend to see Manchester City stay out of the winter market. But with Hugo Viana in charge that could change. A new report suggests that City could be set to rejig their defence next month. That would be entirely dependent on what happens with Nathan Ake but it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that the versatile Dutch defender leaves City and that they’ll be forced to find a replacement next month.
Manchester City could be set to accelerate their plans to restructure their defence as per a new report.
Dean Jones has reported for TeamTalk that Manchester City are considering bringing forward their plans to restructure their defence in the summer. Furthermore, Jones reports that City could be on the lookout for a centre-back next month. That is dependent on the right player becoming available for City to pursue as per Jones’ report. The variable in that equation is reportedly Nathan Ake. According to Dean Jones a host of Premier League clubs have an interest in signing Manchester City’s versatile centre-back next month. If Ake were to depart, City would like to have a replacement defender lined up. Otherwise it is hard to see City letting Ake leave next month.
A January move for Nathan Ake could force Manchester City’s hands next month.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if Nathan Ake pursued a move away from the Etihad next month. With a World Cup on the horizon, Ake will want to be playing regularly to retain his place in the Dutch squad. Ronald Koeman has already warned that Ake needs to be playing to remain in the Dutch squad. Given that Ake has been a squad player for Pep Guardiola this season he may feel that he needs a January move to keep his place for next summer’s World Cup.
To counter that point, I cannot see City letting Ake leave if they could not bring a replacement centre-back. It isn’t a far-fetched notion that City will look for a centre-back in the January market to cover the loss of Ake if he does depart. Who that could be remains to be seen. But one player could be the ideal January addition to Manchester City’s defence.
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi only has six months remaining on his contract. The England international has previously been linked with a move to City. Paul Hirst and Ian Whittell have previously reported for The Times that City have identified Marc Guehi as a primary transfer target. The expectation was that City would pursue a move for one of the premier centre-backs in the Premier League at the end of this season when he is available for free. But perhaps it is a move City will consider next month. Crystal Palace likely won’t want to sell Guehi, but they may not want to lose him for free either. Manchester City’s interest in signing Guehi may be accelerated. It is a story to watch for if nothing else in the coming weeks.
Summary.
The report from Dean Jones does indicate that Manchester City could bring forward their plans to restructure their defence. Circumstances may be lining up for that to occur. If Nathan Ake does pursue a move away from the Etihad, perhaps City will make a January move for Marc Guehi. There are a lot of moving parts there but Nathan Ake’s future may shape another portion of Manchester City’s January transfer window.
Category: General Sports
