Manchester City are not currently planning on signing a striker during the January transfer window, and will instead look to bolster their forward options in the summer.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the Premier League leaders will prioritise the signing of a central striker at the end of the season. Pep Guardiola’s side were unsuccessful in their attempts at signing Tottenham Hotspur’s Harry Kane last summer, and remain keen to strengthen in this area of the pitch.
Manchester City Not Planning on Signing a Striker in January
Dusan Vlahović Had Been Linked With a Move to the Etihad Stadium
Serbian striker Dusan Vlahović has attracted interest as a result of his form for Fiorentina, and has scored 16 goals in 20 appearances in the Italian Serie A so far this season.
Inevitably, the 21-year-old’s goalscoring prowess has seen him linked with a move to the Premier League. The Etihad Stadium has been touted as a possible destination for Vlahović given Manchester City’s need for a striker. Pep Guardiola’s side sanctioned the departure of Sergio Aguero last summer, and are poised to lose Ferran Torres to Barcelona next month.
However, Guardiola has moved to pour cold water on reports of any impending bid for either Vlahović or any other central striker for the time being, telling the media: “We won’t bring in a striker in January. This is the plan.”
Options to Become Available to Guardiola in the Summer
Several top-flight sides in Europe used last summer’s transfer window as an opportunity to sign a prominent goalscorer, with the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Cristiano Ronaldo returning to the Premier League.
Manchester City broke the British transfer record with the signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa, and had looked to sign England captain Harry Kane in addition to the midfielder.
It remains a possibility that Guardiola will look to revive that transfer at the end of the season. Under the management of Antonio Conte, Kane is currently working on a return to goalscoring form in the Premier League, having only scored twice in the competition so far this season.
Another possibility is that City will join the race for Erling Haaland’s signature. The Borussia Dortmund striker is likely to leave Germany in the summer, when a reported £66 million release clause will come into effect.
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