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The January transfer window has reopened and it could be a busy one for Manchester City as they look to continue their title push
Manchester City enter 2026 with plenty of optimism of making this year better than the one which preceeded it. City ended 2025 without picking up any major honours with the trip to Wembley to face Crystal Palace the closest they came to lifting silverware.
That being said, City find themselves in a brilliant position to create better memories in the next 12 months. They sit second in the Premier League, right on the shoulder of leaders Arsenal, are in a strong position to qualify for the Champions League knockouts automatically and have made it to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup.
Not to mention they have also amassed an eight-game winning streak to close out the year before heading to Sunderland today. So what better way to kick things off in 2026 than by producing a dream January transfer window to set themselves on the right track? With that in mind, MEN Sport has taken a look at what a dream January could look like for the Blues.
Semenyo signs
Fortunately for City, this one looks close to being completed. Bournemouth's Antoine Semenyo attracted the attention of several top clubs in the Premier League with his £65m release clause becoming active when Big Ben struck midnight.
However, the Blues have put in the hard yards already on this deal and while Andoni Iraola expects Semenyo to be available for the clash with Arsenal on Sunday, that is likely to be his last match for the club. The 25-year-old should join as a strong option for Pep Guardiola's attack.
His versatility is one of the main reasons Premier League clubs were scrambling to attract him to their team. However, it is City who have won the race which should give them a timely boost as they push for the title.
Bobb leaves
Just because it is what is best for the club, does not mean Oscar Bobb's exit should be celebrated. However, a dream January window would see the Norwegian move on.
The 22-year-old has not managed to cement himself fully in the City squad and his exit seems even more likely considering Semenyo is on his way in. MEN Sport understands Borussia Dortmund are leading the race for the winger and truthfully that would be a great move for Bobb.
Dortmund have a track record of being the perfect place for young players to grow and reach their full potential. A switch there would stand him in good stead for the World Cup and his career.
Phillips departs
Another departure which needs to be confirmed this month is Kalvin Phillips. You have to feel for the former Leeds United man because his switch to the Etihad Stadium has not worked out at all.
Sadly for Phillips, he joined with Rodri at the peak of his powers and Guardiola did not see him as a viable option to be brought in when the Spaniard needed a rest. Since then, Nico Gonzalez has proven to be an adequate replacement when Rodri is unavailable while Phillips has had largely unsuccessful loan spells at West Ham and Ipswich.
Phillips is now 30 and his career will be starting to wind down before he knows it. A good move to the Championship may not be ideal for him on paper, but could be a solid first step to a return to the Premier League some day.
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