Pep Guardiola: Man City won’t sign a striker in January

Nicholas Hughes

• Updated: 23 May 2023 08:47 CDT
• 5 min read

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has eased talks of the club signing a new centre forward in the January transfer window.

The Citizens have scored only 19 goals in their 13 Premier League games so far, less than any other team in the top half of the table.

But Pep insists he is not worried about his side’s impotence in front of goal and is confident it is an issue that will be resolved soon enough.

“It’s a lack of momentum to score goals,” he said after the team’s 1-0 over Southampton on Saturday.

“Goals are something special, it’s a touch and flow and we do not have it.”

Sergio Aguero has made just three appearances in the Premier League this season, while back-up option Gabriel Jesus has managed just seven games, with two goals and an assist to his name.

Raheem Sterling was City’s top scorer last season, and after a disappointing beginning to this campaign the Englishman seems to be finding some form.

City’s No.7 has hit two goals and added an assist in his last four Premier League outings for Guardiola’s men, including the only goal against the Saints at the weekend.

Pep Guardiola rules out striker in the winter

Guardiola admitted the financial situation surrounding football clubs would inhibit any major action in the transfer market, adding City “are no exception” to this difficulty.

The Sky Blues brought in Ferran Torres in the summer and the Spaniard has deputised as the No.9, especially in the Champions League where he netted four times in five group stage games.

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Aguero is slowly being brought back to fitness while Jesus has suffered another injury setback ahead of a potentially season-defining Christmas period for City.

Guardiola’s men face Arsenal in the League Cup quarter-finals in midweek before back-to-back away trips against Everton and Chelsea either side of New Years Day.

The Spaniard will be hoping to see his team banging in the goals as they fight to remain in the hunt for the Premier League title.