With little more than a week remaining until the January transfer window closes, Manchester City could well be closing in on a late signing.
Julian Alvarez is being hotly tipped to join the Blues, with City now the clear favourites to land the River Plate star who has attracted interest from across Europe.
While Alvarez could be on his way, it looks unlikely at this stage that anyone else will be following him before the end of the window.
Despite that, there still plenty of names being linked with a move to the Etihad at the moment, some of which could prove to be options for the summer.
Below, MEN Sport has taken a close look at five players City are being tipped to sign by the bookmakers ahead of the window closing on January 31.
Julian Alvarez 4/5
Pep Guardiola might have been tight-lipped over a possible transfer for Alvarez in his latest interviews, but in this case that looks to be a telling sign.
City are in the race for the rising Argentine prospect, with reports from South America suggesting an offer has already been made.
Alvarez is said to have a £16.75million release clause, which would certainly be no problem for City, who aren’t looking to integrate him into the first team just yet — though that could well suit River Plate who want to keep the forward until the summer.
The fact that City are odds-on to sign him tells you all you need to know about this one – City are firmly in the driving seat to land Alvarez.
Erling Haaland 16/1
An intriguing summer lies ahead as Europe’s top clubs battle it out to sign Haaland, who looks almost certain to leave Borussia Dortmund.
The Norwegian will have his pick of sides, with a relatively low release making him such an enticing prospect for so many teams — although City aren’t quite the favourites.
That goes to Real Madrid, with various reports suggesting Haaland would favour a move to the Bernabeu.
If Haaland is going to move to the Premier League, it seems City would be the best bet, although it would appear he might have his heart set on a move to Spain.
Kylian Mbappe 16/1
Mbappe is another player who destined for a move to Madrid.
Over the past year or so though, Mbappe's desire to leave PSG has seemed to gather some momentum, especially with Lionel Messi now in France.
City are the second favourites to land the 23-year-old superstar, but in this instance that perhaps doesn’t tell you too much, with Madrid surely looking like Mbappe’s next destination.
Harry Kane 20/1
Despite City and Kane’s best efforts during the summer, they couldn’t get a move over the line, with Tottenham not budging on their stance over their prize possession.
Since then, Kane hasn’t quite been firing on all cylinders, perhaps disappointed after his move fell through.
The England captain still appears keen on joining City, and a new striker is top of the shopping list for the Blues.
Spurs’ hard-line approach, though, puts serious doubt on a potential transfer, although they may well find themselves having to cash in soon with his contract running out in 2024.
Dusan Vlahovic 25/1
While all the interest in the summer might be centred around Haaland and Mbappe, the race for Vlahovic could prove to be the most hotly-contested one.
The Fiorentina striker is being eyed up for a big move at the end of the season after taking Serie A by storm over the last year or so.
The Serb has reached Cristiano Ronaldo-like levels with his goalscoring feats in Italy, and it seems certain he will move on this summer, having turned down offers of a new contract in Florence.
Arsenal and Juventus are the clear favourites to land him, but should City hit dead ends with Haaland and Kane, Vlahovic would certainly be an alternative worth looking at.
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