PEP WANTS FOUR NEW FACES
ENGLAND SKIPPER’S PRAISE FOR LANCS STAR /PAGE 43
Pep Guardiola wants four new players at City ALEXIS Sanchez’s transfer to United could be announced today after he was pictured arriving for his medical.
Sanchez posted an Instagram Story video yesterday morning of him boarding a private jet at Biggin Hill ahead of flying to Manchester and he was then pictured arriving at United’s Carrington training complex.
The 29-year-old underwent a medical before signing his United contract after City pulled out of the race to sign the forward.
The deal will see Reds midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan join Arsenal.
United manager Jose Mourinho has given his players two days off following their win over Burnley on Saturday, so Sanchez is expected to meet his PEP Guardiola has told his City bosses he needs to bring in as many as four new signings – despite the Premier League leaders’ still being in the hunt for an unprecedented quadruple.
After missing out on Alexis Sanchez and Virgil van Dijk this month, Guardiola is determined to strengthen in all departments over the next two transfer windows.
A centre-back is a priority this month, while City are also trying to secure the signing of Brazilian midfielder Fred.
In the summer Guardiola wants to sign a versatile forward in the mould of Sanchez – capable of playing right across the front.
As reported by M.E.N. Sport last week, new team-mates tomorrow. Sanchez could make his United debut in the FA Cup fourth round tie at Yeovil Town on Friday night.
He is in line to make his league bow back in north London against Tottenham at Wembley on January 31 and his home United debut is likely to be against Huddersfield on February 3.
Mourinho has privately Guardiola has been promised the funds to sign a star forward after City pulled out of the running for his top target Sanchez.
The Chilean is the latest striker he has had to accept defeat over, having targeted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kylian Mbappe since taking over at the Etihad 18 months ago. Antoine Griezmann was another player under consideration in his first season at the club – and the Frenchman would fit the profile of the versatile attacker he wants in his side.
Jonny Evans and Inigo Martinez are defensive options – and Guardiola could sign two centre-backs over the January and summer windows.
A commanding midfielder is among his priorities, despite Fernandinho signing a new two-year deal this week. Fred is his top bemoaned a ‘lack of creativity’ in the United squad and believes they needed ‘extra competition’ up front.
“In this moment there is no competition for places,” Mourinho said.
“In this moment we have four attacking players for three positions, three are starting, one is on the bench, Zlatan for the whole season was not available.
“We look to central defenders, played Jones and Smalling, Rojo on the bench, Victor [Lindelof] in the stands, Eric Bailly is injured, look to midfield, Fellaini, Herrera and McTominay on the bench, Carrick in the stands.
“And we look to the attacking areas and we need that extra competitive internal competition but more solutions for us, so let’s see.”
United special: Pages 46-48 target, but City have also been linked with Liverpool’s Emre Can and Jean-Michel Seri.
Guardiola could also look for left-back cover for Benjamin Mendy, despite Fabian Delph’s outstanding form as a makeshift defender this season.
He intended to sign Faouzi Ghoulam this month – only for the Napoli player to suffer knee ligament damage.
Guardiola spent more than £200m last summer, but was promised in excess of £300m to bring in all of his targets.
And with Etihad chiefs desperate for the Catalan to extend his contract beyond the end of next season, they will provide him with further financial backing to achieve his dream of delivering the club’s first Champions League trophy.
City special: Pages 49-51