Manchester City still view recruiting a new holding midfielder as a "transfer priority" with manager Pep Guardiola ready to renew his search in the January window, according to James Robson of the London Evening Standard.
Robson has described how Guardiola has been keen on signing a player in the position since last January. He missed out on Fred, who eventually joined neighbours Manchester United from Shakhtar Donetsk this summer.
However, the failure to capture another target has cut deeper at the Etihad Stadium:
James RobsonGuardiola’s transfer priority remains a holding midfielder, which is seen as the last key position to address in his squad.