Manchester City transfer plans updated by Pep Guardiola amid Marc Guehi links and injury concerns | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has insisted on his belief that Manchester City will not invest in defensive reinforcements this month despite fresh injury blows to his side.

The comments arrive at a time of heightened speculation around City’s January intentions, particularly following a series of reports linking the club with Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi.

City have been repeatedly named as conditional contenders for the defender’s signature, with previous information suggesting any winter move would hinge on player preference, Palace’s stance, and potential outgoing business.

Sunday afternoon’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium only intensified debate around squad depth. City led through a first-half Tijjani Reijnders strike and largely controlled proceedings, but were eventually pegged back late on as Chelsea capitalised on sustained pressure in the closing stages.

The result marked a frustrating afternoon for Pep Guardiola’s side, who were already stretched by absences before suffering further knocks during the contest that forced both Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias out of action with the club’s head coach describing the Croatian’s issue as ‘not looking good’.

In recent weeks, Manchester City have been linked with activity at both ends of the pitch with a continued pursuit of Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, and Oscar Bobb potentially involved in an exit. However, Guardiola’s latest remarks appear to pour cold water on the idea of immediate defensive recruitment.

Speaking to reporters after the 1-1 draw against Chelsea, Guardiola insisted that he does not believe City will invest in defenders during the ongoing January transfer window, despite the new injuries sustained at the Etihad Stadium.

“Of course I have concerns [about the number of injuries]. Have you seen the bench today? Three players from the Academy, and now we will have more. So we don’t have players. That is the truth,” Guardiola admitted.

But when asked whether it could affect his side’s transfer activity, Guardiola said, “Erm, I don’t think so. I don’t think so, but we’ll see what happens because I know Ruben [Dias] is a big loss, Josko [Gvardiol] is a big loss – it’s a partnership we have done, bringing us to what we are.”

A similar question was put to the 54-year-old in a post-match interview with television broadcasters, to which Guardiola responded, “No idea. No idea. No idea.”

Despite Pep Guardiola’s public stance, Manchester City’s recruitment department are known to operate independently, particularly when market opportunities align with longer-term planning. As previously reported, Guehi remains a player admired at executive level, dating back to monitoring initiated under Txiki Begiristain.

For now, City appear content to assess developments as January progresses rather than force a move. Much will depend on Crystal Palace’s willingness to negotiate, Guehi’s own preference amid interest from European giants, and whether City’s injury situation worsens further.

While Guardiola may be playing down the prospect of defensive additions, the situation remains fluid. Should conditions change rapidly, Manchester City have already demonstrated they are prepared, but until then January plans remain measured.