Pep Guardiola is set to receive a £200 million war chest to revitalize Manchester City’s squad during the January transfer window, as reported by The Mirror and cited by The Manchester Evening News. This comes on the heels of a disappointing loss to rivals Manchester United, marking City’s eighth defeat in their last eleven games, leaving them fifth in the Premier League and nine points behind leaders Liverpool.

Despite expressing concerns about his ability to turn the season around, Guardiola recently signed a two-year contract extension with City, signaling continued confidence from the club in his leadership. The hefty transfer budget is indicative of their commitment to backing him during this challenging period.

One of the key targets for City is Joshua Kimmich from Bayern Munich, who has less than seven months remaining on his contract. Guardiola’s previous experience with Kimmich at Bayern makes this potential reunion particularly appealing. However, the priority for the January window will be to secure a new midfielder, especially to cover for the injured Rodri.

In addition to Kimmich, City is reportedly interested in Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad. Zubimendi turned down a move to Liverpool last summer and convincing him to leave La Liga mid-season may prove challenging, but City plans to test his resolve.

City may also look to strengthen their defense, with Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton being linked as a potential target. The England international has caught the attention of several clubs, including Manchester United and Real Madrid. However, Everton is likely to demand over £70 million for his transfer.

As January approaches, it looks poised to be a busy month for Manchester City, despite the ongoing scrutiny related to 130 charges of alleged breaches of the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. The club’s ability to navigate these challenges while enhancing their squad will be closely watched.