Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has refused to discuss specific targets for January despite suggestions the club is closing in on three new arrivals.
City suffered from injuries during the first half of the season and is ranked sixth in the English Premier League table, despite its recent improvement after successive wins over Leicester and West Ham.
Reports suggest that progress has been made in deals for defender Abdulkader Khosanov from Lens and Palmeiras teenager Vitor Reis as well as Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush.
However, Guardiola offered nothing when he addressed the media ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup clash with neighbors Salford.
Asked about any possible transmission activity, he said: “Don't ask me about that because I won't answer.” All month you will be asked the same thing about everything associated with us in the media, so I will not talk. You can insist, I will not answer because I do not know the situation.
“We know we shouldn't go into the transfer window, and I don't like that very much. The situation that happened this season with many, many, many injuries, we have to try to do it because the situation is what it is. But what will happen, I won't talk because I don't I know.
“Of course I have talks with the club but the process and what is happening, I don't know what will happen because it is very difficult. What will happen will happen, otherwise I can't say anything else.”
Was I not clear?
He specifically pressed Marmoush and said: “Listen, was I not clear in my answer? Come here! I was clear in my answer; I won't talk. He's a player from another club, I'm not saying an answer.
“You can say in every press conference to talk about the transfer window until the end, I will not answer a single question! Don't go like that!”
“In the past, the same thing happened. I was clear, right? You can try it anytime you want, no problem at all, but you know my answer.”
Guardiola does not give up on Haaland
John Stones and Ruben Dias are not fit enough to return tomorrow, although Ederson is available, while Guardiola refused to say whether top scorer Erling Haaland will be rested.
“You'll see tomorrow,” he said. He's feeling good, he had some trouble on the first day but we've had seven days from West Ham to Salford to recover well, and the situation we have we need everyone to be ready to get through.
Pep: Ederson is fine and John Stones is not (he is not ready). pic.twitter.com/UBbYn17EGI
– Manchester City (@ManCity) January 10, 2025
Playing against his city
Salford are owned by several members of Manchester United's 'Class of 92', including Gary Neville, David Beckham, Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs, and will shine at the Etihad on the back of seven wins in their last eight league games, a run that has propelled them to the top spot. Third in the second league.
Guardiola was quick to praise coach Carl Robinson and his players and is looking forward to local skirmishes.
“I've lived in Salford for the last eight years, so we'll be playing against my neighbourhood, or my city, where I live,” he said.
“(I have) a lot of respect for the manager; We played when he was at Oxford, when he was assistant to Sam Allardyce at Leeds, and in the last six games, six wins, huge respect for them and what they do.
“We will take them seriously of course, as we have always done at this club since I arrived, and hopefully we can put in a good game and get a third win in a row. This has not happened for a long time.”
