Pep Guardiola has reportedly “desperately asked” Manchester City to secure the signing of Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich in January, aiming to replace the injured Rodri for the rest of the season. Manchester City’s ongoing crisis deepened after a 2-1 loss to Aston Villa, extending their winless streak to just one win in 12 matches across all competitions. The absence of Rodri, who is sidelined for the remainder of the season due to a serious knee injury, has compounded City’s struggles.
With the January transfer window approaching, Manchester City is reportedly prioritizing signings in three key areas: central midfield, full-back, and forward. While players like Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle and Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad have been linked to City, there are suggestions that the club may not be pursuing these players as aggressively as initially thought.
Instead, Guardiola has urged Manchester City to act swiftly and “break the bank” to sign Kimmich, a 29-year-old defensive midfielder who can also play as a right-back. Kimmich is set to become a free agent in the summer, but Guardiola is reportedly keen to bring him in during the January transfer window to maintain balance and strengthen City’s midfield. Known for his versatility, experience, and leadership, Kimmich has been heavily linked with several Premier League clubs in recent months.
Kimmich’s contract with Bayern Munich expires at the end of this season, and if the German club fails to renew his deal before January, it could open the door for his departure, with Manchester City poised to make their move. Guardiola sees Kimmich as the ideal solution to replace Rodri and help City continue competing at the highest level despite their recent struggles.
