Manchester City issued with new midfield transfer target blow as January switch ruled out – Liverpool and Manchester United interested

Premier League champions Manchester City have seen their January transfer plans take a further blow with a move for one particular midfield target now ruled out.

Etihad Stadium recruitment chiefs have already moved to deny reports linking them with moves for two of Europe’s finest central operators, with reports intensifying in recent days ahead of the January market.

It had been suggested that Manchester City would be willing to test the resolve of Newcastle United over their club captain Bruno Guimaraes in the coming weeks, despite rejecting the chance to sign the Brazilian via his release clause last summer.

Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is also not expected to make the switch to Manchester City midway through the season, with the Premier League champions briefing such a belief to certain quarters of the media over the weekend.

And should Manchester City wish to bring in a new central midfielder during the winter market, their options have now been further restricted with a new report seemingly ruling out another name that has been discussed within the City Football Academy offices.

That is according to the information of Rômulo Giacomin, who reports that Atalanta and Brazil international midfielder Ederson will not leave the Serie A club in the upcoming January transfer window.

Nevertheless, it is claimed that clubs are negotiating to sign the player for the summer market with a valuation of at least €80 million and all of Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Real Madrid interested.

For now, whilst Txiki Begiristain and his colleagues will have attention on the transfer window, Manchester City’s focus will remain firmly on events on the pitch as they desperately hope to bring an end to a torrid run of form.

Pep Guardiola and his players have recorded just one win in their last 12 matches across competitions, losing nine games in that time leading to a significant drop-off in their standing within both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League tables.

In the English top-flight, City find themselves languishing in seventh and behind the likes of Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, and Aston Villa, whilst Liverpool hold a 12-point lead on the champions with a game in hand.

As for Europe’s premier club competition, Manchester City are at serious risk of dropping out of the competition as a whole, sitting 22nd in the league table with two outings remaining away to Paris Saint-Germain and at home to Club Brugge in January.