It's that time of year again - the January transfer window is in full swing. For many clubs, the winter window is much needed as one to save or enhance their seasons.
Those in title races, relegation battles or European chases usually look to add one or two wildcards to their squads in a bid to reignite a run of form that could prove pivotal come the end of the season, whilst others may look squeamishly through their fingers as key players are sold towards the last few moments of the window to ruin their campaigns.
For Manchester City, it is a little unclear how Pep Guardiola will approach the window. His side are five points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race and whilst they will be quietly confident of catching the Gunners in what has been a superb battle so far, an addition for the Spaniard would not go amiss at this time of the year - if anything, to show Arsenal they still mean business.
With that in mind, the Manchester Evening News has taken a look at six players who, according to Sky Bet, could arrive at City this month.
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Rafael Leao 8/1
AC Milan star Leao is not short of interest after a breakout season at the San Siro last season, where he registered 14 goals in 42 games for the Rossoneri as they went on to win the Serie A title for the first time in 11 years under Stefano Piolo.
That, alongside being a permanent fixture in the Portugal national team and producing similar numbers this year as AC continue to challenge for the title, has made him another valued attacker. His dynamism and Leroy Sane-esque nature could mean he provides something different for the Citizens - though at 8/1 and with Chelsea being favourites at 6/1, a move this window would be extremely surprising.
Jude Bellingham 16/1
Bellingham is more likely to move in the summer transfer window when transfer prices generally become cheaper as a result of more forward planning, alongside time for Borussia Dortmund to find a replacement.
That hasn't stopped City ranking in at a healthy 16/1 to sign him this winter, however. Only Liverpool at 10/3 and Real Madrid at 14/1 are touted as more likely to sign the Birmingham-born star, and with Ilkay Gundogan out of contract in the summer, City could target him to show the world their long-term intentions.
Kylian Mbappe 20/1
Arguably the world's best player at present, Mbappe would be welcomed by any team across world football. Having signed a new deal at PSG in May, it would take a huge sum to prise him away from the Parc des Princes to the Etihad Stadium.
Real Madrid will always be the clear favourites for him, represented at 8/1 - but despite Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Manchester United being ahead of City at the bookies, don't rule them out at 20/1.
Mykhaylo Mudryk 22/1
Mudryk has been the subject of a transfer tussle between Arsenal and Chelsea for the past week, and whilst that is still yet to come to a close, City have crept in as late runners for his signature. The rapid Ukrainian talent is shortly becoming one of the most sought-after wingers in world football, though again it remains unlikely that City will make a move for his services.
Declan Rice 25/1
Just like his England midfield partner Bellingham, Rice is another young talent that has seemingly outgrown the club he currently plays for. West Ham have benefitted from his brilliance over the past couple of seasons with sixth and seventh-placed finishes in the Premier League, but a topsy-turvy campaign this year alongside Rice's stock being high from superb performances on international duty means that the time is probably right for both parties to move on.
City have been credited with interest, though at 25/1, the rest of the top six all boasting shorter odds and Rodri battling it out with Kalvin Phillips in the No. 6 role, it remains unlikely that Rice will make the move to the Etihad - especially in January.
Ferran Torres 25/1
A return for the winger that City sold for £50million to buy Erling Haaland seems unlikely to say the least Torres has performed relatively well at Barcelona since being unveiled at the Nou Camp a year ago, though his returns have hardly been groundbreaking. 12 goals in 47 - a record representing a goal once in just under four games - show that.
With Jack Grealish, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and even the likes of Cole Palmer coming through the ranks, it is hard to see a return for Torres. However, he is still backed at 25/1 to come back, which is comfortably behind Arsenal at 5/1 favourties.
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