'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Manchester City are looking for reinforcements to improve their squad depth in the January transfer window. Following the sale of Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid in the summer, they are currently working on a plan to sign a new striker in early 2025.
The Cityzens reportedly managed to get approximately £82 million for Alvarez, and alongside other exits from the club, they racked up a combined £160 million. The English champions made only two signings in the summer. While Ilkay Gundogan returned on a free transfer from Barcelona, Savinho joined from Troyes for a reported £25 million fee.
Manchester City now have a rather impressive transfer war chest going into the January window, and they are set to bolster their squad. According to reports from Football Insider, getting a backup striker for Erling Haaland is at the top of their priority list.
While Haaland easily remains the best striker in the Premier League, having already scored seven goals in three matches, injuries are a potential concern. With City playing in the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Champions League, and the Club World Cup, having other options will see Haaland get some rest and potentially keep injuries at bay.
With versatile players like Phil Foden and James McAtee at the club, Pep Guardiola can play them as strikers in a false 9 role. However, January could see a new striker join up with the squad.
Pep Guardiola praises Manchester City talent Rico Lewis
Manchester City have started the new season with a bang, racking up three wins out of three to sit atop the Premier League table. While Erling Haaland's seven goals have been the highlight of that brilliant form, City boss Pep Guardiola has also praised Rico Lewis.
Last season, the 19-year-old full-back played just 16 Premier League games. This season, though, he has starred in all three games. Lewis' quality on the ball has been impressive, with Pep Guardiola gushing about him after their 3-1 win over West Ham on August 31, when the teenagerprovided an assist.
The Manchester City manager said (via Sports Max):
"Absolute, absolutely [he's playing well]. Have you seen the minutes he played in the pocket? I said many times, Rico has one incredible ability that for many years, it was difficult to find."
"Always he is free, always he is alone. When his mate has the ball, I don’t know what he does, but he's free. You can pass the ball to him, and not just in positions where it's comfortable, but in positions where the space is so tight, arriving in the third final."
Rico Lewis was called up to the England national team for their UEFA Nations League matches against Ireland and Finland. He played the full match in the 2-0 win over Finland on Tuesday, September 10.
