'You always search' - Pep Lijnders verdict on Man City transfer window

Manchester City assistant Pep Lijnders spoke about the January business done by the club in the transfer window

Pep Lijnders believes Manchester City have pulled off something difficult in the January transfer window as they look to challenge on four fronts. The Blues have spent £82.5m on bringing in Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi to try to boost their hopes of silverware.

City have pointed out that both players have been signed for the long term rather than being seen as immediate fixes. Semenyo, 26, and Guehi, 25, have each signed contracts until 2031 and will be part of the long-term future of the club.

However, they have undeniably given Pep Guardiola a short-term boost. Semenyo has already scored in three different competitions for the Blues and Guehi kept a clean sheet on debut in the Premier League to help a team that had been faltering with injuries.

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That situation has not greatly improved but the fact that proven Premier League stars Guehi and Semenyo have been able to go straight into the first team has impressed former Liverpool assistant Lijnders. City are not used to spending so much in the winter window but they could have landed two bargains if it helps them to win trophies.

"I think we have excellent business with Antoine and Marc," said Lijnders. "We added strength. You always search for somebody who can improve your first XI and that's not easy for Manchester City. If you can find players to improve your first XI, that's good business. That's what we tried to do and I feel like we have succeeded."

City have also completed the £27m sale of winger Oscar Bobb. "It's insane with his age to make a transfer like that in the Premier League. I'm really happy for him, it's a great step to go to Marco's team and the way they set up and the way they play with outside triangles being flexible they will feed him a lot of balls.

"It's a big compliment for our academy because another player makes a big step who has quality to play in the Premier League."