Manchester City’s massive overhaul is not over under Pep Guardiola.
In fact, it seems like they’ve only just started despite spending over $200 million on new players this summer.
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A report from the Daily Mirror claims that Guardiola is ready for another spending spree as he will be handed almost $200 million in January to sign key three players.
Per the report, Guardiola wants to sign Italian center back Leonardo Bonucci, Arsenal’s right back Hector Bellerin and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Previous reports stated that Barcelona native Bellerin, who was at Barca during his formative years while Guardiola was in charge, was stalling on signing a new deal being offered by Arsenal as he weighed up his options. Barcelona are also said to be interested in the 21-year-old who was named as the best right back in the Premier League last season by the PFA. It is through Arsenal want at least $50 million for Bellerin as they turned down City’s advances for their speedy right back in the summer.
As for Bonucci, reports claim that the 29-year-old Juventus defender will be subject of a bidding war between some of the PL’s top clubs as Chelsea (managed by Bonucci’s former coach for club and country, Antonio Conte) are rumored to be ready to splash $75 million for the classy center back. With John Stones already at City, Guardiola has already spent big on a new central defender but with Vincent Kompany‘s injury struggles persisting and Nicolas Otamendi’s form still a little up and down plus Aleksandar Kolarov used out of position at center back on occasions, it seems as if Pep wants to strengthen this area in the January window.
Aubameyang, 27, is an intriguing one as you’d struggle to see where he fits in at City despite his considerable talent. Borussia Dortmund is likely to be very reluctant to let the striker leave but if City match their near $70 million asking price, you can see it happening. With Sergio Aguero and Kelechi Iheanacho the only recognized center forwards in City’s current squad, Guardiola feels like he needs to reinforce in that area. With Kevin De Bruyne, Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Nolito around, where would Aubameyang slot in?
This rebuilding project at City has started off strongly with Ilkay Gundogan, Stones, Claudio Bravo and Nolito already becoming key figures in the team as Guardiola’s side have won 10 of their first 12 games in all competitions this season.
That said, some weaknesses are starting to appear — especially at full back and with Aguero being suspended — and maybe that will entice City’s ownership to spend big, once again, this January.
