Man City could block Arsenal and Man Utd from completing January transfer

Manchester City could block Arsenal and Manchester United from completing a January transfer, according to a fresh report.

We’re beyond the season’s halfway point and several teams are in contention to win the Premier League title.

Liverpool, who appeared in relative disarray in the summer, are currently three points clear at the league summit, while this year’s surprise package Aston Villa are in second place.

Last year’s treble winners City are third on 40 points, though with a game in hand over those surrounding them, while Arsenal’s stuttering recent form sees them languish in fourth.

As per the Athletic, Arsenal are considering strengthening at the back in January, with a focus on the left, to increase their dwindling chances of claiming a first Premier League title in two decades.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is currently operating at left-back for Mikel Arteta’s men but has struggled for form in recent weeks.

The club allegedly admire Ajax’s Jorrel Hato as well as Miguel Gutierrez of Girona, however, neither player would represent an ideal January signing.

Jato is only 17 and thus, does not qualify for a UK work permit until his 18th birthday in March.

Meanwhile, Gutierrez, who has also been linked by the Sun to United, could be a difficult signing to complete.

His ownership right, split between Real Madrid and Girona’s primary shareholder City Football Group, would reportedly complicate any prospective deal considerably.

Gutierrez is a regular in Girona's first XI, having played 20 times this term, registering a goal and three assists.

Moreover, the 22-year-old is a product of Real’s academy and featured nine times in the league for Los Blancos before joining Girona in the summer of 2022.

Despite his current deal running until June 2027, his talents have reportedly been tracked by AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund. Girona could allegedly be convinced to part ways with the defender for £22million.

Topics: Football, Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, Transfers, Premier League, Girona

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.