Pep Guardiola insists Manchester City will not add players in January - despite their 11-point deficit to Liverpool in the Premier League title race.
City dropped more points on Saturday as they were held by Newcastle at St James' Park leaving them third in the Premier League table, three points behind second-placed Leicester .
The Blues have suffered with injuries - particularly defensively - but Guardiola says there will be no panic-buying when the winter opens in the new year.
“I don’t want any players in January,” Guardiola said. “If we could not do it in the summer, then we cannot do it January.
“When players come for an incredible opportunity in January for the next four, five or six years, maybe we could think about it, but that is not possible.
"The players that could maybe add something to our squad will not be for sale.”
Looking further ahead - Guardiola says City don't need a complete rebuild at the end of the season.
Vincent Kompany called time on his career at the Etihad in the summer and David Silva will do the same at the culmination of the current campaign.
Fernandinho may also leave the club, but Guardiola has played down the impact the departures will have.
“We don’t have to rebuild too much,” he added. “Three players is not rebuilding the team.
"Rebuilding the team is seven or eight, which we did in the second season when seven players finished their contract because 11 players were over 30.
“To buy two or three players is not a rebuild, it’s just substituting positions.
“David (Silva’s) confirmed he’s leaving. Fernandinho doesn’t know but it’s normal - the players that arrive at his age and this stage of their lives. Of course, we have to replace them.”
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