“Maybe we will get something…”: Pep Guardiola provides updates on Manchester City’s January transfer plans amid injury crisis

Pep Guardiola. (REUTERS)

Manchester City were left frustrated on Sunday after being held to a 1–1 draw by a Chelsea side still finding its feet following Enzo Maresca’s departure.

Pep Guardiola’s team controlled much of the contest but failed to make their dominance count, and they were made to pay deep into stoppage time when Enzo Fernández fired home a late equaliser.

Despite that setback, City remain firmly in the title hunt, sitting second and within striking distance of the league leaders.

With the January transfer window fast approaching, focus has shifted toward how Guardiola plans to manage the second half of the campaign — both in terms of potential arrivals and trimming a squad hit hard by injuries.

Pep Guardiola has moved to play down expectations of a dramatic January overhaul at Manchester City, even as the club battles an emerging injury crisis.

The champions are currently left with just 13 fit outfield players after both senior centre-backs suffered injuries against Chelsea, sparking speculation that City could be forced into the market.

While City have long been working on a deal for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo — a move expected to cost around £65 million — Guardiola has made it clear that this window will not mirror last January’s heavy spending. Injuries have prompted internal discussions about whether to accelerate interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, who nearly joined Liverpool last summer before Palace blocked a late move.

Guehi is widely expected to leave Selhurst Park at the end of the season when his contract expires, and City had been hoping to position themselves for a summer swoop. However, the current defensive situation could yet tempt them into testing Palace’s resolve with an earlier bid.

Speaking about City’s plans to the press, Guardiola acknowledged that business is possible, but rejected the idea of another spending spree.

“Maybe we will get something but it’s completely different,” he said. “We are not going to buy four or five players like happened last season to be the [highest] net spend in this country. We are not, but apparently always we are.”

Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola also added fuel to the speculation surrounding Semenyo, admitting ahead of his side’s clash with Tottenham: “I think it could be the last game. That is my personal opinion, but there is nothing agreed and nothing signed.”

For now, City appear set for a cautious January, with Guardiola determined to resist panic buying while remaining open to one or two targeted moves if the right opportunity presents itself.

Barnaby Lane is a highly experienced sports writer who has written for The Times, FourFourTwo Magazine, Sports Illustrated, TalkSPORT, and Business Insider.

Over the years, he's had the pleasure of interviewing some of the biggest names in world sport, including Usain Bolt, Rafael Nadal, Christian Pulisic, and more.