Pep Guardiola wants Manchester City to splash the cash in the January transfer window, with the Citizens prepared to fight Premier League rivals for two in-demand stars, according to a report.
The reigning Premier League champions are expected to reverse their usual habits and experience a busy winter window as they endeavour to bolster their small squad and turn their fortunes around on the pitch.
Multiple injury issues and a drop-off in form from a number of senior stars has contributed to Man City alarming decline this term, with Guardiola's side currently sitting sixth in the Premier League table and facing the prospect of an early elimination from the Champions League.
Since Guardiola's arrival at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, Man City have only completed two senior January signings in the form of Gabriel Jesus (£27m in 2017) and Aymeric Laporte (£57m in 2018), but the addition of at least a few fresh faces is thought to be on the agenda this month.
Guardiola recently hinted at the prospect of recruiting a new central defender due to the club's fitness woes in that department, but Man City may also target reinforcements further up the pitch.
Man City interested in Ederson, Marmoush
Indeed, according to The Sun, Man City are eyeing a double raid for Atalanta BC midfielder Ederson and Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Omar Marmoush.
Guardiola is said to feel that Ederson would 'add much-needed midfield steel' and can help the Citizens cope without injured lynchpin Rodri, while the addition of Marmoush could improve an attack that has been heavily reliant on Erling Haaland's goal contributions this term.
Ederson has established himself as an important first-team player for Atalanta since joining the club from Salernitana in 2022, making 115 appearances across all competitions in a deep-lying midfield role.
The 25-year-old Brazil international was a key part of the Atalanta side that won the Europa League last season and has since made 18 Serie A appearances for a team that currently sit top of the table in Italy and are challenging for the title.
Ederson, who is under contract until the summer of 2027, has regularly been linked with a move away from Atalanta over the last 12 months, with Manchester United said to be one of many clubs interested in his services along with Man City.
Man City join race for in-demand Marmoush
Meanwhile, Marmoush has been one of the standout performers in the Bundesliga ever since he swapped Wolfsburg for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023, and has particularly excelled in front of goal this term.
Indeed, the Egypt international has recorded 18 goals and 12 assists in 24 appearances across all tournaments this term, including 13 strikes and eight assists in 15 Bundesliga matches for a Frankfurt outfit that sits third in the table.
The outstanding form of Marmoush, a versatile attacker who can operate out wide or as a central striker - has unsurprisingly caught the eye of several top European clubs, with Man City now the latest name ready to rival the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal, Man United and Chelsea for his signature.
It is understood that Frankfurt will demand at least £50m for Marmoush, who has just over two years left on his contract, while Atalanta will likely ask for a similar fee for Ederson.
Man City have also been credited with an interest in Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov and will allegedly consider accelerating their plans to recruit the 20-year-old this month. body check tags ::
