Guardiola rules out 2 January transfers after Man City compile 7-man shortlist

Manchester City will not be signing Martin Zubimendi or Bruno Guimaraes in January.

The champions have endured a terrible few months and one of their main issues has been the lack of individual to replace Rodri, who is poised to be injured for the majority of the season. As a result they've been tipped to pursue a player in the middle of the pitch with their season in need of a spark.

Guimaraes has excelled throughout his time at Newcastle and has shown he could do a job for almost any team on the planet. The Magpies, whilst being close to the PSR mark, have no plans to sell their Brazilian whilst Zubimendi could also be out of reach.

The Spain midfielder came on and produced an impressive cameo in the Euro 2024, which attracted Liverpool's attention, but he remained at Real Sociedad. Now, as first reported by The Daily Mail, it's understood neither he nor Guimaraes will be moving to the blue half of Manchester this month.

Guardiola has issued a plea and said on the club's situation: "In some positions we need help. When we're all together we're the team we were but with important players out for weeks and months it's so difficult."

Those at the Etihad have also ruled out moving for Atletico Madrid's Pablo Barrios, despite previously debated making an offer for him. He's been a regular for the La Liga outfit, who currently sit top in Spain.

Its been reported that the Manchester outfit had compiled a shortlist of players who could aid their cause, especially with a top four spot not guaranteed after their recent nightmare run. Joshua Kimmich, who is seeing his Bayern Munich contract wittle down, has been among those they've considered.

Atalanta’s Ederson, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton are said to be under consideration with City wanting to add more depth. Eintracht Frankfurt's breakout superstar Omar Marmoush, who is also on Arsenal's radar, is another player they've monitored.

Lille forward Jonathan David is another possible signing - he's scored 19 goals in 28 games for club and country this term - although City's priority is not likely to be adding a new striker.