5 players Manchester City should have signed

Manchester City may be sitting 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League, but a football team can always improve and with the January transfer window shut, now would be a good time to see whom Pep Guardiola should have targeted.

Even with the arrival of Aymeric Laporte, the Premier League leaders look short in some areas of the pitch while injuries to certain players could leave them short in several positions.

Money certainly isn’t an object at Manchester City and so here are five players they should have targeted in January:

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#1 David Alaba

It’s no secret that Pep Guardiola is an admirer of David Alaba. The duo worked together during the Spaniard’s spell at Bayern Munich that dominated German football.

The Austrian international would add so much to a Manchester City squad, given his versatility which is something Guardiola looks at in a player. Under his tutelage at Bayern Munich, Alaba played predominantly at left-back, but also played in midfield and centre-back.

At 25, Alaba still has his best years ahead of him. He’s also up there among the best full-backs in football to date. A move to the Premier League would further enhance his career, while a potential reunion with Guardiola is certainly something Manchester City fans would love to see.

#2 Alexis Sanchez

Prior to the winter window opening, Alexis Sanchez was odds-on to join up with Pep Guardiola once again, with Manchester City seemingly leading the race to sign the Chilean. However, add in the interest of rivals Manchester United, representatives of Sanchez were able to up the asking price - of which City weren’t ready to pay. Thus, losing out to their neighbours.

Although it may not make too much of a difference this season given Guardiola’s side lead the Premier League by 13 points, their inability to sign Sanchez could prove vital when Guardiola goes head-to-head with Jose Mourinho for the Premier League table next season.

Even at 29, Sanchez would add so much to this Manchester City side even with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane, both of whom are in exceptional form.

However, an injury to the latter has left them short up front and with long-term absentee Gabriel Jesus still on the sidelines, an injury to Sergio Aguero would only strengthen City’s case for another forward.

Since his move to Arsenal in 2014, Sanchez went on to play 166 games under Arsene Wenger, scoring 80 goals and creating 46 before a move to Manchester United. Only time will tell as to whether City will regret missing out on their No. 1 January target.

#3 Jean Seri

With Yaya Toure seemingly on his way out and Fernandinho not getting any younger, OGC Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri would be the perfect player to fill the void when the time comes.

Manchester United, Barcelona and Arsenal have all shown interest in the 26-year-old with a summer move looking increasingly likely. It’s a surprise that no elite European club came in for Seri in the January window, given Nice’s poor form of late.

A midfield double-pivot of Seri and Kevin De Bruyne has all the makings of a great partnership while a potential suitor would be expected to pay around £33 million. A bargain for a player of Seri’s calibre.

#4 Mauro Icardi

When the time comes for Mauro Icardi to depart from Inter Milan, there won’t be a shortage of clubs interested in signing the Argentine striker.

Icardi is one of the hottest strikers in football with 96 goals in 170 games for the Italian club. While his prowess in the penalty area is something that Manchester City could do with, for the same reasons as mentioned previously that Pep Guardiola will be short up front when injuries occur.

The Premier League club have shown that they aren’t afraid of spending big and so Icardi’s €100 million release clause shouldn’t be a problem while his connection with fellow Argentine Sergio Aguero could be a partnership of dreams.

A change in formation by Guardiola could make Manchester City one of the most prolific football clubs should they chose to splash the cash on Icardi.

#5 Kostas Manolas

Even with the likes of John Stones, Nicolas Otamendi and recent arrival Aymeric Laporte, fans can’t help but feel Manchester City are short on defence. Especially when Pep Guardiola opts for a back three.

The arrival of Kostas Manolas from AS Roma would help stabilise their defence while his ability to play out from the back is something his predecessors have been criticised for.

Arsenal have recently shown interest in signing the Greece international. While Manchester City would have to pay in upwards of £40 million, it’s certainly a worthwhile investment in today’s market given the arrival of Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool for £75m.

Strong in the tackle, Manolas would certainly shore up the City defence against your typical Premier League strikers while his leadership on the pitch is something they’re missing.