What could Manchester City's winter transfer window look like?

The winter transfer window is just around the corner, or maybe not really as far as Manchester City are concerned. If you look at their history, the club has been relatively quiet during the January window.

That doesn't mean they're not trying to add new players. They do try - recall the Alexis Sanchez saga, for instance.

One thing that almost everyone agrees with is that Manchester City need a striker. Will they get one next month? Let's dig right in to see what the 2022 winter transfer window has in store for Manchester City.

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1) Are Manchester City looking for a new left-back?

Does Manchester City need a new left-back?

Let's look at the options City have. Cancelo is the obvious first-choice left-back at the moment, followed by Nathan Ake and Zinchenko. As it is, there's a lot of fight on who gets to start in the backline, leaving others upset, and adding a new face to the squad at the moment is not the best of moves.

It is also hard to see where the new player would fit in. Sure, if there is an injury or two in the next few weeks, that could lead to City thinking about a new player, but other than that, not so much.

I mean, one could argue that City could do with a new left-back, which was the case for the last couple of seasons, but now, it doesn't look likely.

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2) What's going on with Raheem Sterling?

Should Manchester City cash in on Sterling while they can?

Raheem Sterling is an interesting case. His contract is due to expire at the end of 2023. He was open to a move away from the Etihad earlier this summer and City would have accepted a big offer. Everyone would have walked away happy from this deal.

Fast forward six months and Sterling is in good form and means business. He could soon cement his place in the starting XI at this rate.

But look at the flip side. The better he plays, the more suitors he attracts. City then risk losing him for cheap or handing him a big fat offer.

3) So then, which player(s) look likely to leave next month?

Torres' move to Barcelona is just a matter of time.

As things stand, Ferran Torres' move to Barcelona looks all but confirmed. Torres will sign a 5-year contract with the Spanish giants in a move worth €65-million (including add-ons).

It is believed he was a bit unhappy with the game time he was getting under Pep. Would that change under Barcelona's new manager, Xavi? Let's wait and find out.

Bernardo Silva wanted to move away from the Etihad during the 2021 summer transfer window but ended up staying at the club. Guardiola also confirmed the same in August.

"He's our player," the manager said in August.

"Not just Bernardo, there are two, three or four players that want to leave but they are our players under contract and when they bring some offer and their agents come here and they want to leave we are open to discuss absolutely everything but it depends on them."

"Otherwise, they will continue training really well, they will stay here and I will decide if they stay or don't stay. The players who want to leave know the door is open because we don't want anyone here unsatisfied but they have to bring someone. Otherwise, they will stay here."

Bernardo wanted to leave in the summer.

Keeping this in mind, talks about Bernardo leaving City have surfaced again, which is normal. However, no clubs are eyeing the Portuguese next month. So as things stand, he is here to stay beyond the January window.

The same goes for Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian was also linked with a move away from Manchester City, and Juventus seemed interested in the striker. That move, of course, never materialized, and he looks all set to remain at the club beyond next month.

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4) What's going on with the striker situation?

Can City strike a deal with Dortmund for Haaland next month?

Let's finally talk about the elephant in the room. Will City get a striker next month? Let's face it, getting either Harry Kane or Erling Haaland looks next to impossible. One thing's for certain, though: City do need a striker. Pep has relied on a false 9 at times, but that doesn't mean he isn't looking for a striker.

Striking a deal with Haaland is not going to be easy. There are going to be a lot of suitors looking to bring the Norwegian to their club. Dortmund would not want to strike a deal with any club next month. They'd rather wait until the summer to open talks.

As for Harry Kane, City saw their bid fail as Daniel Levy was adamant not to lose his best player to a direct rival. That, and City also didn't try hard enough to get their man. They were easily put off by Levy. The transfer saga left Kane disappointed.

Would City go back and test the waters again with Spurs or battle it out with the European giants for Haaland? Tune in next summer to find out.