5 quality players that Manchester City are looking to sign

How do you improve on almost perfection? At the time of writing, Manchester City has won 55 points out of a possible 57, including the longest-ever top-flight winning streak of 17 and looked to already have the title wrapped up.

Do they really need to buy anyone in January?

They always say that those who stagnate go backwards, so why not look to improve where you can and get those players embedded in the next title challenge for the 2018/19 season? Well here’s a look at five players that Pep Guardiola should look at to improve one of the best teams in Premier League history.

#1 Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)

The man he wanted in the summer, Alexis Sanchez is a world-class footballer that adds yet another attacking dimension to City. Able to play out wide or centrally, his mix of pace and power has made him Arsenal’s best forward for the past few seasons.

However, after the team has struggled to mount any kind of title challenge, the Chilean has grown frustrated and is ready to jump at a chance to join up with his former manager at Barcelona. He already knows the system, fits perfectly as one of the wide forwards and could catapult the club into a potential quadruple territory.

Some will say he’ll unsettle the balance they have, others will state that he’ll only add to the competition up front. Others will ask for the club to wait to get him for free in the summer, while they should be saying that paying for a club like the Citizens isn’t too much of a hassle to get him right now.

A real difference maker, the 29-year-old has the quality to send them into the stratosphere.

#2 Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

They may have competition, but Zaha would be a great squad fit

If it’s more depth up top they need, why not get a younger option in Wilfried Zaha? The Ivorian has been linked with a move to a number of clubs in the winter window and he could be the ideal man for City to have a similar wide option to what they already have.

Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling offer speed in-behind teams, attacking their full-backs at will and keeping the pitch stretched by staying as wide as possible until cutting inside. Zaha fits that mould perfectly, giving them a like-for-like option that has only just turned 25.

Add to that the spice that he’s a former Manchester United player and it’s all the more reason for them to sign him up and add to that fire.

He looks like a world-beater at Crystal Palace and is in the form of his life, finally realising the talent that got him the move to Old Trafford in the first place. He’ll have to compete hard to start but if Guardiola can get him, he’d been a perfect rotation option for the would-be champions.

#3 Virgil van Dijk (Southampton)

Strengthening their defence and hitting a top-six rival in one fell swoop

They boast the best defence in England, yet some people still see centre-back as a position of weakness for City.

John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have dramatically improved under Guardiola but behind those two, Eliaquim Mangala has yet to convince and Vincent Kompany has lost a step or two. With their preference to play a three-man back line at times, they need to invest in another player in that position.

Step in Virgil van Dijk, whose love affair with Southampton should finally come to reality in this window. Liverpool has been sending love letters for months but with the chance at both silverware and working under one of the greatest coaches ever at the Etihad Stadium, an approach from them might be too hard to resist.

A solid defender who’s strong in the air and with the ball at his feet, he would be an ideal man to add to the club’s defensive options. He’s not played a lot of football over the past year and when he has, it’s been iffy so this one will more than likely be an investment for next season.

#4 Alex Sandro (Juventus)

Alex Sandro would be a great addition

Losing Benjamin Mendy earlier this season felt like a body blow for the player and club. Their only recognised left-back will be out for the majority of the season and what’s worse is he looked like he’d taken to the English game like a duck to water.

At least we still have his Twitter antics to enjoy.

We keep eating ??? #SharkTeam

— Benjamin Mendy (@benmendy23) December 16, 2017

Fabian Delph has stepped in admirably, but now it’s time to get a specialist into the fold. That’s why sights should be set on Juventus full-back Alex Sandro, who should be answering all the club’s needs.

Able to play out wide as a wing-back or even in midfield, his style really compliments how Guardiola likes to play his full backs. He can be as attacking or as defensive or as wide or as central as you would want him to be, he will be ideal competition for the returning Mendy but he will cost a pretty penny to bring in mid-season.

#5 Philipp Max (Augsburg)

An under-the-radar star of the Bundesliga, Max could be a cut-price bargain

An alternative option would be for the club to bring in the Bundesliga’s current leader in assists. It has been a good route in the past, given they brought in Kevin De Bruyne in after a spectacular year in Germany, so why not bring in Philipp Max?

A relative unknown to English audiences, the Augsburg man has nine assists so far for one of the more surprising teams in the Bundesliga. The 24-year-old whips in a mean ball from wide positions and the club's forwards; Alfred Finnbogason and Michael Gregoritsch have feasted upon them

Now imagine that service with Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus on the end instead.

Max has been a solid left-back for the Bavarians for a while and has even been linked with a move to the giants of Deutschland in Bayern Munich, so this isn’t a one-season wonder to worry about.

A perfect compliment to their current style and a player potentially more willing to be a rotation option when necessary, he could add more depth to an already strong squad now and for the future.