Guardiola rules out Man City January spree

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AFP Manchester
Last Updated : Dec 03 2019 | 9:40 AM IST

Pep Guardiola says he will not be splashing out in January to revive Manchester City's flagging Premier League title fortunes despite the yawning gap to leaders Liverpool.

The champions, in third place and trailing Jurgen Klopp's men by 11 points after 14 matches, visit Burnley on Tuesday.

City have gone seven games without a clean sheet, which Guardiola said was not "good enough" and the club have been linked with Leicester City defender Caglar Soyuncu.

But he played down the idea of buying a centre-back when the transfer window re-opens next month.

Instead he will keep his faith in Fernandinho and await the return of Aymeric Laporte after a lengthy absence with a knee injury.

Asked if City's transfer strategy had changed, Guardiola said: "No. I don't want any players in January.

"If we cannot do it in summer, we cannot do in January. When they come for an incredible opportunity in January for the next four, five, six years, maybe we could think about it, but that is not possible.

"Normally the players we could think it would be interesting to add something for our squad, they are not going to sell."
"When we don't win it's because of Fernandinho. It will be my decision. I like him in that position because of the build-up for the fast, for the long balls, many things."

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First Published: Dec 03 2019 | 9:40 AM IST

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