Man City are hunting for their fifth Premier League title in six years under Pep Guardiola and may spend in January.
Manchester City risk losing the Premier League title for the first time in three seasons with Arsenal leading the way under former City coach Mikel Arteta.
City currently sit second in the Premier League table, five points behind the Gunners ahead of the return of Premier League football – leaving fans to speculate over whether City might spend in January to boost Pep Guardiola’s squad.
That remains to be seen, although City are sure to have options lined up. If the club want to preserve some of their summer transfer budget and instead hunt for some bargains, there are some incredibly talented players to potentially land on the cheap and the Manchester Evening News takes a look at four possible options.
Leandro Trossard
Trossard has been superb for Brighton since making the switch from Genk in 2019, becoming one of the shining lights of the Graham Potter era before the manager’s switch to Chelsea. Trossard has improved with every passing season, including notching a total of seven goals in just 14 games this season in a left-wing spot for the Seagulls.
With Phil Foden and Jack Grealish – both superb players in their own right, but not profiles you would class as ‘finishers’, Trossard could offer that different dynamic in terms of a more direct approach. With just over a year left on his contract, Brighton may find any advances in January too hard to resist.
Ramy Bensebaini
Bensebaini has finally found a platform to shine whilst at Borussia Monchengladbach since his move from Rennes in 2019. The Algeria international had only scored six goals in his career until he joined the Bundesliga side, but has scored 24 goals in those three-and-a-half-seasons, becoming an all-action left-back that likes to fly up and down the wing.
The 6ft 2in star can play at centre-back, and whilst that spot is filled to the brim at City, his versatility is another added benefit. With his contract running out in summer and Monchengladbach not coming overly close to Champions League football, Bensebaini could be tempted by an offer in January.
Dani Olmo
Olmo has really come to the fore over the past couple of seasons, joining RB Leipzig in 2020 and becoming one of their most consistent players. The former Dinamo Zagreb talent has established himself as one of their top attackers, and his efforts have seen him rewarded with Spain caps – including their first goal at this year’s FIFA World Cup.
Adept at playing across the front line, and most importantly for Pep Guardiola, in the false nine role if needed, Olmo offers something different to the current crop of stars. Sprinkle in his Barcelona youth background and the fact his contract is set to expire in 2024 – and City could make tracks to another club who rely heavily on their business model make a decision.
Ismael Bennacer
The AC Milan midfielder is another star who has taken the European scene to improve himself.
Having played for Empoli for two seasons with only one being in Serie A, the Rossoneri took a punt on him – and alongside Sandro Tonali, the Algerian has massively impressed. He plays a similar role to Ilkay Gundogan, and with the German’s contract up at the end of the season, there may be room for Bennacer to slot in and compete with Kalvin Phillips.