Manchester City are ready to dip their toes into the transfer market and refresh Pep Guardiola's ageing squad after announcing a Premier League record revenue.
On Friday afternoon, City released its annual report for their 2023/24 title-winning campaign which confirmed a third consecutive year of record-breaking revenues.
In total, the Premier League side announced revenues of £715 million alongside profits of £73.8 million.
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The report also indicates that wages dropped £10.3 million to £412.6 million as commercial revenue increased slightly from £341.4 million to £344.7 million.
With the exception of the COVID-impacted 2019/20 campaign, City have now recorded a profit every season since 2014/15.
City also confirmed an overall profit of £92.8 million in transfer business done since the end of June following the sales of Liam Delap, Joao Cancelo, Julian Alvarez and Taylor Harwood-Bellis, to name a few.
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The news comes after the Telegraph suggested there is a ‘firm acceptance’ within the club that they need to buy in January.
In fact, depending on sales, the Citizens could bring in between four and six signings over the next two windows with the defence, midfield and attack all requiring 'surgery'.
The report suggests midfield is the biggest area of concern as they continue to struggle without Rodri.
Real Sociedad’s Martín Zubimendi is named as a possible target, although the Spaniard could wait until the summer as he has 'reservations' over being the understudy to Rodri once he returns.
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Atalanta’s Ederson has also been discussed alongside Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton and Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes.
As well as a central midfielder, several No 10's are mentioned. City are admirers of Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze and Matheus Cunha from Wolves, who have also been scouted.
Liam Delap, who has enjoyed an impressive start to life with Ipswich Town since joining from City in the summer, has also been named in the report alongside three defenders – Jarrad Branthwaite, Marc Guehi and Alphonso Davies.
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Thoughts on who City should sign in January to improve their squad? Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Pep Guardiola
Jack Kenmare