The potential centre-back signings for Manchester City this month appear to be dwindling by the day, with another possible recruit ruled out today.
Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool for a world record fee (for a defender), Samuel Umtiti was little more than a newspaper-filling rumour, Iñigo Martínez has suffered an injury that could put City off, and now another recent target will apparently not be pursued.
According to Sky Sports News reporter Ben Ransom, City will not be going after classy Leicester centre-back Harry Maguire, who was recently linked with a £50million switch to the Etihad.
Ransom says that while City have indeed looked at the 24-year-old England international, he’s unlikely to be pursued this month, with other centre-back targets more likely.
Man City being linked with Harry Maguire, but it’s my information although they have looked at him it’s unlikely to be one they pursue in January. Other CB options more likely at this stage #MCFC #LCFC @SkySportsNews for the Transfer Centre #SSN
— Ben Ransom (@BenRansomSky) January 9, 2018
Unless there is a mystery target, which is always a possibility, it may well be that West Brom skipper Jonny Evans is the one Pep Guardiola will bring in, supposing City can fend off serious competition from Arsenal.
There is also the option of City putting their wallet away and waiting until the summer to invest in a centre-back, but that would put great pressure on John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi to remain fit, with Vincent Kompany proving unable to and Eliaquim Mangala not seen as a long-term reliable option.
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