Manchester City transfer news: Messi and Ramos favourites for January move
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expects a quiet January Transfer Window as the club continue to be linked with a sensational move for Lionel Messi.
City remain firmly in the Premier League title frame after a convincing victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday with victory over Manchester United in the Carabao Cup underlining their improvement. Guardiola may see the January market as an opportunity to fortify his squad with the fixtures coming thick and fast between now and May.
Diego Rosa and Filip Stevanovic, both 18, are set to seal moves to City this month though both have been acquired with an eye on the future. It remains to be seen whether Guardiola will attempt to strengthen his senior squad before the February 2 deadline.
Lionel Messi (7/2 to move to Manchester in the January window) is favourite to reunite with Guardiola, though he will most likely move on a free transfer in the summer if he does choose to depart Barcelona.
Erling Haaland, who will be available for £68million when his release clause becomes active in 2022, is another name linked with a move to Etihad Stadium, while Kylian Mbappe (25/1) and Harry Kane (25/1) are outsiders to join in the January Transfer Window.
But asked about the possibility of freshening up his forward line in the middle of the campaign, Guardiola said last month: “No I don’t think so. The economic financial situation is what it is. All the clubs struggle and we are no exception.”
City are also among the clubs linked with Real Madrid skipper Sergio Ramos with the defender’s current deal in the Spanish capital set to expire this summer. A January move to the Etihad is currently priced at 11/1, making City second favourites behind Juventus.
Man City to sign before February 2 odds (via Sky Bet):
- Lionel Messi 7/2
- Jack Grealish 9/1
- Sergio Ramos 11/1
- Jadon Sancho 20/1
- Conor Coady 20/1
- Kylian Mbappe 25/1
- Harry Kane 25/1
- Paul Pogba 33/1
- Ben White 33/1
- Tyrone Mings 33/1
Odds correct at the time of writing. Transfers completed before February 2. 18+ Only. UK only. Terms and Conditions Apply. BeGambleAware.
