"It is not easy to do" - Pep Guardiola hints at Manchester City plans for January window amid interest in Liverpool target
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that the club will be active in the January transfer window amid their links to Liverpool target Martin Zubimendi. The current Premier League table toppers have been linked with a move for the Spaniard but could face competition from the reigning champions for his services.
The Cityzens have struggled this season, enduring a shocking run of form that has seen them bag only one win in their last 12 games. Speaking to the press via Tribal football after his side's recent defeat to Aston Villa, Guardiola stated:
"'We're not a big fan of that (window) but the circumstances of this season have been special. We've spoken about doing something. In winter, it's if we really need it, or if we can really find something. It is not easy to do. Clubs don't want to sell and players are so expensive. It depends on the market, we'll see."
Zubimendi has been a vital part of Real Sociedad since he joined the senior team from their youth ranks seven years ago. The Euro 2024 winner's performances have attracted interest from two of the biggest teams in England at the moment: Manchester City and Liverpool. He is contracted to the Basque club until the summer of 2027.
When Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher fired back at Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola after extraordinary rant
Earlier in the month, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher shot back at Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola after the Spaniard aimed a dig at the former defender in a recent rant. The Spaniard has overseen a shocking run of form with the reigning English champions and has received a fair amount of scrutiny for his side's recent performances.
Talking to the press after his side's poor form was questioned by media trio Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville, and Micah Richards, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss said via Goal:
"He knows how difficult it is. Otherwise, Gary Neville would’ve won four [consecutive] Premier Leagues in the best period of Manchester United. But he didn’t do it, you know? Jamie Carragher didn’t win one once. Micah Richards didn’t win four Premier Leagues in a row. Never, ever. It’s never happened."
"There is more chance of if it not happening than happening. Just one Treble before us. It’s so difficult to do it again and again. We don’t have what others have, who haven’t done it for many, many years," he added.
Caragher fired back at Pep Guardiola on X, saying in a post:
"I think I’d have probably won one if Liverpool were owned by a nation state, and pushed the rules so far that the PL charged us 115 times!! I was actually praising Pep’s team after the game on Sunday"
Manchester City is unlikely to retain their Premier League crown for a fifth consecutive season following their poor run of form. Pep Guardiola's side sits in sixth place on the table, with nine points from the league leaders after 15 games.