Pep Guardiola has been given the go-ahead to make a move for Martin Zubimendi in January to help salvage Manchester City’s faltering season.
City’s dreadful form continued this week with a 2-0 loss to Juventus, leaving them struggling to progress in the Champions League.
The defending Premier League champions have only won once in their last 10 matches, suffering seven losses during that period.
A key factor in their poor performances has been the absence of Rodri, who has been sidelined since September with a serious knee injury.
Mateo Kovacic has also missed six consecutive matches but made a return to the bench in midweek.
With their season on the line, ESPN reports that City is preparing to make significant moves in the January transfer window, with a new midfielder being their top priority.
Guardiola has long been interested in Real Sociedad’s Zubimendi, a player Liverpool tried to sign in the summer.
The 25-year-old was called up to replace the injured Rodri in Spain’s Euro 2024 final against England, but despite interest, he chose to stay at Sociedad.
City made just two additions in the summer—winger Savinho and Ilkay Gundogan’s return from Barcelona on a free transfer.
Zubimendi also renewed his contract with Sociedad in the summer and dismissed rumors of a January move in November.“There will always be rumors, especially as January approaches, but I don’t waste energy on outside noise,” he said.
In addition to Zubimendi, Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães is another potential target for City. Meanwhile, Guardiola’s side sits eight points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, who also have a game in hand after last weekend’s Merseyside derby was postponed. City now faces United in the crucial Manchester derby on Sunday.