In a stunning development, Manchester City have turned their January transfer attention to one of the Bundesliga’s brightest young stars – Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala. The 21-year-old attacking midfielder has rocketed to prominence over the past two seasons, establishing himself as a key figure for both club and country. Now, it appears Pep Guardiola has seen enough to convince him that Musiala could be the shot in the arm his faltering City side desperately need.
Guardiola’s Five-Man Wishlist Headlined by Musiala
According to reports in the Times, the City boss has handed his club a five-player shortlist of January targets, with Musiala right at the top. Guardiola is known to be a huge admirer of the versatile youngster, who has already racked up 15 goals for Germany and played a starring role in Bayern’s last two Bundesliga title triumphs.
Musiala’s electric dribbling skills, vision, and eye for goal would add a new dimension to City’s attack, offering the dynamism and unpredictability they have sorely lacked in a dismal run of just one win in 13 games. At just 21, he also fits the profile of player City’s hierarchy are keen to build around for the future.
Midfield Reinforcements Also on the Agenda
Guardiola’s wishlist isn’t just focused on attacking talent, however. With key holding midfielder Rodri currently sidelined through injury, the City boss is also keen to bolster his options in the centre of the park. Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi and Newcastle United standout Bruno Guimarães are the two names in the frame.
Zubimendi, 25, has emerged as one of La Liga’s most consistent performers in recent seasons, with his reading of the game and metronomic passing making him an ideal fit for Guardiola’s possession-based style. The Spaniard recently turned down a move to Liverpool, but City will hope the lure of working with his compatriot Guardiola could sway him.
Guimarães, meanwhile, has been nothing short of a revelation since swapping Lyon for Newcastle in January 2022. The all-action Brazilian has been the driving force behind the Magpies’ surge up the table, with his combinations of tenacious ball-winning and progressive distribution drawing comparisons to City legend Fernandinho. Prising him away from St James’ Park would be a tall order, but Guardiola is convinced his compatriot has the quality to make a difference.
Defensive Reinforcements Also Considered
Rounding out the quintet of Guardiola’s top targets are Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guéhi and Bayer Leverkusen wonderkid Florian Wirtz. Guéhi, who has been a rock at the heart of the Palace defence since joining from Chelsea in 2021, is seen as a long-term replacement for City’s injury-plagued backline. Palace rejected bids in excess of £70m for the 24-year-old in the summer, but City are ready to test their resolve again.
Wirtz, meanwhile, is regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in world soccer. The 21-year-old playmaker has been a revelation for Leverkusen since bursting onto the scene as a precocious 17-year-old, drawing comparisons to Kai Havertz for his technical ability and vision. With City’s creative output dwindling alarmingly in recent months, Guardiola believes Wirtz could provide the spark to reignite their faltering attack.
City Ready to Splash the Cash to Save Their Season
After romping to the Premier League title last season, City have endured a miserable start to the current campaign. A run of just one win in 13 games has seen them slump to 8th place, a staggering 14 points adrift of leaders Liverpool. Defensively they have been uncharacteristically vulnerable, while in attack they have looked painfully short of ideas without the injured Jack Grealish.
Guardiola is acutely aware that major surgery is required to get City’s season back on track, and the club’s hierarchy are ready to back him to the hilt. A transfer warchest in excess of £200m has been made available, with Musiala and co identified as the men to transform City’s fortunes.
Whether Bayern would be willing to part with their prized asset midway through the season remains to be seen, but City are ready to test their resolve with a mega-money offer. Having missed out on Lionel Messi in the summer, landing Musiala would be a major statement of intent from the blue half of Manchester.
Jamal is an incredible talent with a huge future ahead of him. Any team in the world would love to have him in their ranks. We know it will be tough to persuade Bayern to sell, but we believe he could be a transformative signing for us.
– A Manchester City source speaking to the Times
As the January window prepares to open, all eyes will be on the Etihad to see if Guardiola can pull off a transfer coup and lure one of Europe’s hottest young properties to Manchester. If he can, it could be the catalyst for a City resurgence and a thrilling second half of the season. Over to you, Pep…
