Pep Guardiola Insists Manchester City Won’t Spend in January Despite Injury Woes

?Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has insisted he “doesn’t want” any new arrivals in the January transfer window.

City have struggled to cope with the losses of some of their key men to injuries this season, with Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane not set to return until February after long-term absences. 

John Stones has also missed eight matches so far through injury, leaving the Citizens thin at centre-half and forcing Guardiola to deploy defensive midfielder Fernandinho at the heart of his defence.

With City’s financial power and their current league position – 11 points off the top – many expected them to be busy in the upcoming transfer window, with a new centre-back being the priority.

But despite frustration at failing to replace Vincent Kompany with Harry Maguire last summer, the Spaniard has insisted in his pre-match press conference ahead of the clash with Burnley (via Sky Sports) that City won’t be active in the January window.

“I don’t want any players in January… We cannot do it in summer, we cannot do it in January,” Guardiola began.

“When an incredible opportunity comes in January for the next four or five or six years, maybe we can think about it. But that is not possible. Normally the players we think could be interesting, [clubs] are not going to sell them.

“We could not sign a centre-back [in the summer]. We decided to adapt Fernandinho in this position and that’s all. Sometimes the club wants to try to do the best but sometimes we cannot. We have to adapt with the players that we have.”

Guardiola’s words will bring joy to the ears of Leicester fans, as it was understood that Ça?lar Söyüncü and Jonny Evans were two of City‘s targets to replace Kompany at the Etihad.

Meanwhile, the former Barcelona and Bayern boss also confirmed that a new deal for Fernandinho won’t be discussed until next summer, with the Brazilian’s current deal running out at the end of the season.

“…Fernandinho doesn’t know [whether he’s leaving], but its normal when players reach this age and stage in their lives,” Guardiola added.

“I think at the end of the season we are going to decide all the situations; the players finishing contracts, the players for contracts, what we have to do, what we believe is the best for the club, for the organisation next season.”

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