Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has discussed the possibility of signing another left-back in the January transfer window, with the injury suffered by Benjamin Mendy suggesting Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez may no longer be a top priority.
The Blues have been dealt the major blow that Mendy will be out for longer than expected, according to Guardiola, who used Fabian Delph at left-back in the Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk last night.
City already splashed out on full-back signings during the summer by bringing in Kyle Walker on the right-hand side, Mendy on the left, and Danilo as an option on either flank.
After strengthening defensively, Guardiola made unsettled Arsenal star Sanchez his top target, but failed with a deadline day move for the Chilean.
It is now expected that Sanchez will see out his contract with the Gunners and move to the Etihad Stadium next summer, though Paris Saint-Germain and other foreign clubs would be free to talk with him from January onwards.
This could force City to try their luck with a bid for the player in the middle of the season, which recent reports have suggested they could do, though Guardiola now seems to be focusing on finding cover for Mendy.
‘We will see in January,’ the Spaniard said when asked about the prospect of signing another full-back.
Tonight's Champions League fixtures
Group A
FC Basel v Benfica
CSKA Moscow v Manchester United
Group B
PSG v Bayern Munich
Anderlecht v Celtic
Group C
Qarabag v Roma
Atletico Madrid v Chelsea
Group D
Juventus v Olympiacos
Sporting Lisbon v Barcelona
‘We thought about next summer, about looking for another left back. We have Danilo, Delph and (Oleksandr) Zinchenko can play there, so we will see as we go along.
‘I am very happy with Delph’s performance tonight. Midfield players can play everywhere. He’s a nice guy who has no complaints.’
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