Manchester City identify ex-Liverpool target and Serie A star as potential signings in January - Reports

Manchester City are reportedly keeping close tabs on Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Torino’s Samuele Ricci. The Premier League champions are looking to bolster their midfield options and have identified the two stars as targets in the upcoming January transfer window.

Pep Guardiola’s side has been heavily undermanned in the midfield department this term. Kevin De Bruyne had been out of the team since September with a hamstring injury and has only just returned to first-team action. Meanwhile, Rodri is out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner is the only natural defensive midfielder in Guardiola’s squad. The manager has been forced to deploy Mateo Kovacic in the holding midfield position in Rodri’s stead. While the Croatian has done a decent job so far, City are keen to have multiple options in the position for the long season ahead.

According to L’Equipe (via Tribal Football), the Manchester club has identified Zubimendi and Ricci as possible replacements for Rodri. Zubimendi was strongly linked with a move to Liverpool in the summer but a deal failed to materialize. The Spanish midfielder opted to remain in Spain with Real Sociedad.

Ricci, meanwhile, has established himself as one of the finest defensive midfielders in Serie A. The 23-year-old is highly rated in Italian football due to his outstanding technique and sense of positioning.

Manchester City is expected to rope in a midfielder in the January transfer window. However, it remains to be seen if it’ll be any of the above-mentioned stars.

Manchester City suffer three consecutive defeats under Pep Guardiola for first time since 2018

Manchester City are currently experiencing a bad run of form. The Cityzen recently lost 4-1 to Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday (November 5).

Prior to this result, they also lost 2-1 to Bournemouth in the league and were eliminated by Tottenham Hotspur (2-1) in the Carabao Cup. This current losing streak marks the first time since 2018 that the Manchester club would lose three games on a trot under Pep Guardiola.

They will look to return to winning ways when they play Brighton & Hove Albion next in the Premier League on Saturday, November 9.