The January transfer window has officially opened and like night follows day, Manchester City will be expected to do business.
Pep Guardiola has played down talk of getting deals done this month, given that the imminent returns of Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland arguably carry greater significance than any new arrivals. But with John Stones again out with injury, and Josko Gvardiol yet to live up to his billing, the Spaniard isn't going to spend January simply watching rivals strengthen.
With his side now just two points off leaders Liverpool, Guardiola has all but sealed the deal for one star. And now all eyes will be on whether he feels the need to add further to his squad. Mirror Football looks at five potential transfer targets for the Premier League champions....
Claudio Echeverri
Let's start with the obvious - a deal for Argentina's 'next Lionel Messi' is all but over the line barring a dramatic late breakdown this week.
The 17-year-old has verbally agreed to a six-year deal with City, who'll pay a £22million fee before immediately loaning him back to River Plate for 12 months. It's undoubtedly a deal with the future in mind, but after signing the gem that is Julian Alvarez from the same club - it seems that City have found another.
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Jean-Clair Todibo
Given that Todibo is a prime transfer target for both Manchester United and Tottenham, it would be vintage City to hijack the deal at the 11th hour.
With Stones ruled out for the foreseeable future, the 24-year-old Todibo would be an ideal man to bolster Guardiola's defensive options. He's been the standout performer for Nice so far this season, and if City were to swoop, the Treble winners would surely be a more attractive option than Erik ten Hag's current unstable ship.
Noah Mbamba
The highly-rated Mbamba has played a major role in Bayer Leverkusen challenging for the Bundesliga title this season, after excelling for Club Brugge at youth level.
Mobile, strong off both feet, able to bring the ball out of the back as well as fulfil a deep-lying midfield role, Mbamba fits the mould that Guardiola craves. With Jeremy Doku also ruled out, the 18-year-old would not only provide short-term cover - but long-term quality as well.
The Puma home shirt features the traditional sky blue colour but has slightly darker blue detailed stripes across the front which take inspiration from the Etihad Stadium's walkways. City moved to their new home from Maine Road in 2003 and the shirt honours that anniversary.
Pau Cubarsi
The Barcelona B youngster reportedly turned down a lucrative move to City in the summer in favour of staying at the Camp Nou.
The 16-year-old is said to be highly regarded within the club’s youth academy and by manager Xavi Hernandez, but the Premier League side won't go away that easily. Cubarsi signed his first professional contract in July, but the treble winners have the finances, not to mention nigh-on guaranteed silverware, to entice any teenager.
Lucas Paqueta
City were in hot pursuit of a deal for the West Ham star in the summer when he became the subject of an FA betting investigation.
The club soon pulled out of the proposed £80million deal, but didn't rule out coming back in during January. The 25-year-old has since denied the claims and the process remains ongoing, but unless City can negotiate a cut-price fee they are unlikely to take the risk on the Brazilian.
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