(Football news) City are enduring a challenging 2024-25 campaign, with the current English champions winning just one of their last 13 matches across all competitions.

The struggles of Pep Guardiola’s confidence-sapped bunch continued on Boxing Day, when they were held at home by mid-table dwellers Everton.

It appeared as if the Citizens were on course for a much-needed victory when Bernardo Silva bagged in the first half; however, Iliman Ndiaye quickly equalised for the Toffees.

Ahead of a trip to Leicester City on Sunday afternoon, Manchester City are languishing down in seventh spot in the Premier League table, 14 points behind pacesetters Liverpool.

Manchester City targeting Musiala, Wirtz moves in January?

According to multiple reports, Manchester City are set to be extremely active in the January transfer window as they seek to halt their worrying run of form.

The report claims that Citizens boss Guardiola has drawn up a five-man shortlist of potential signings ahead of the crucial mid-season trading point.

It is understood that Bayern Munich’s Musiala and Wirtz of Bayer Leverkusen are both wanted by Manchester City, who were timid spenders during the summer window.

As well as the Bundesliga pair, the Citizens are supposedly also keen on securing the services of Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, Newcastle United hero Bruno Guimaraes, and Real Sociedad playmaker Martin Zubimendi.

It is believed that Manchester City are hopeful of signing at least three new stars during the January window, with a greater transfer outlay planned for the summer.

Where does Manchester City need to strengthen the most?

With Rodri out of the remainder of the campaign with a knee injury, Manchester City need to reinforce their midfield ranks to have any chance of making the top four this season.

A pairing of Mateo Kovacic and Rico Lewis have failed to the fill the shoes of the Ballon d’Or-winning Spaniard, with the Citizens too easy to bypass in the engine room.

As a result, Real Sociedad’s Zubimendi could be a priority signing for Manchester City in the New Year, although a deal for the Euro 2024 winner may prove difficult.

The 25-year-old rejected the advances of Arne Slot’s Liverpool over the summer in order to remain in La Liga, and it is said that the midfielder is not particularly keen on departing his current club in January.

Also read: Manchester United’s winger rejected by Juventus but they want their striker