Manchester City remain well off the pace in the Premier League, but a productive January could see them get back on track.
A midweek draw against Brentford left Pep Guardiola's side in sixth place after 21 games. They are three points behind fourth-placed Newcastle, but still twelve points behind leaders Liverpool, having played a game more than Arne Slot's men.
The city has already set up their booth before their first book signing in January. Top scorer Erling Haaland has put pen to paper on a new nine-and-a-half-year contract, with the Norwegian now by far the highest earner in the Premier League.
However, there are still injury issues that need to be addressed, with Rodri likely out for the season and the likes of John Stones and Ruben Dias currently out of action. However, four potential signings could help City move up the table.
The main targets for City are at the back. Abdukodir Khusanov looks set to join from Lens, while fellow centre-back Vitor Reis is close to completing a £29.5m move from Palmeiras.
Further forward, Guardiola's side are expected to return with an improved bid for Omar Marmoush, although they are not the only Premier League side interested in the Eintracht Frankfurt star. A possible fourth deal could see full-back Andrea Cambiaso arrive from Juventus, although this is believed to be the furthest away from completion of the four deals.
So, how might City position themselves if they get their deals done? Mirror Football has taken a closer look at the squad that could help save their season.
City could get two new centre-backs in January, but that doesn't necessarily mean either will start as a brand new duo straight away. Uzbek international Khusanov seems the most likely starter of the two, as 19-year-old Reis has not yet played European club football.
If a deal for Cambiaso can be completed, City could push Josko Gvardiol back in. The Croatian provided an unlikely goal threat from outside, but that shouldn't take away from the fact that City broke the bank for him through their defenders in the middle for RB Leipzig.
With Kyle Walker exploring an exit, the addition of reinforcements at centre-back would allow Manuel Akanji to move back to the right and alternate with Rico Lewis. In goal, Ederson could eventually regain his starting place from Stefan Ortega.
It was initially thought that Rodri would be out for the season after cruciate ligament surgery, but the Spaniard has indicated he could still return to play a role this season. For now, though, Guardiola is making the best of what he has without the Euro 2024 winner.
“I know myself. I am a person who recovers well, a person with a positive mentality,” Rodri told AS in January. 'They said that the [mental issue] was very important in the recovery. Like I said, everything is going very well. Of course I want to play again this season.”
But in the meantime, the return of Mateo Kovacic has been important in dealing with that absence. There will be matches where Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva can partner the Croatian star in a double pivot, but on other occasions City may opt for a more conservative three-man approach.
January transfer target Marmoush has been the focal point of Frankfurt's attack, but a move to the Etihad Stadium could also see a move into a wide role. This would be nothing new as Julian Alvarez also often operated out wide during his time at the club, before leaving for Atletico Madrid this summer.
Savinho has found some form after enduring a stop-start in the first few months of his arrival from Troyes, but the Brazilian and Egyptian on opposite flanks could be the answer. That would mean a central role for Phil Foden behind Haaland, who despite some recent problems has a healthy total of 16 goals.
Jeremy Doku and Jack Grealish will provide wide options, but they are not the only ones. Forgotten man Oscar Bobb could also return to play a role in the run-in after being sidelined by the broken leg he suffered during pre-season.
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