Manchester City First January Signing Odds: Wharton The Early Favourite

Manchester City had a relatively quiet summer but the leading betting sites expect more transfer activity in the January window. 

Savinho was the only addition to Pep Guardiola’s squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. 

City were quick out of the blocks, winning their first four Premier League games by an 11-3 aggregate scoreline, but back-to-back draws with Arsenal (2-2) and Newcastle United (1-1), plus the loss of Rodri for the entire season with a knee injury, could prompt a recruitment drive in the mid-season market.

So, which players could City look to bring to the Etihad Stadium in the New Year? With the latest odds from football betting sites, we take a closer look.

Wharton Would Provide Extra Midfield Body

Adam Wharton wasted little time in making his mark on the Premier League after joining Crystal Palace from Blackburn Rovers in January. 

The midfielder had a sensational half-season at Selhurst Park, immediately establishing himself as one of Palace’s key men and earning a call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024.

Wharton has not been quite as impressive so far this campaign, but the 20-year-old will only get better the more games he plays.

Palace are expected to cash in at some point and Wharton is available at 6/4 to be Manchester City’s first January acquisition. 

Ederson To Join Ederson At Etihad?

Manchester City fans might have to stop signing 'There's Only One Ederson' in honour of their Brazilian goalkeeper, if they add the Atalanta midfielder with the same name in January. 

Ederson played a big part in helping the Serie A side claim last season's Europa League title with a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, which was the only defeat the German side suffered all campaign. 

The midfielder is 2/1 on betting apps to be City's first January signing and he would help fill the gap left by Rodri. 

City are not the only interested party, though, with Liverpool and Manchester United among his other admirers according to reports.

Hjulmand Could Answer City's SOS Call

Morten Hjulmand scored a fantastic goal against England at the Euros in the summer and the Denmark international could be on his way to the Premier League in January. 

Manchester City are priced at 5/2 to make Hjulmand, who has been described as the complete midfielder, their first addition in the winter window. 

Hjulmand currently plies his trade at Sporting CP and is under contract until 2028, but the Portuguese outfit might be willing to sell the midfielder if the price is right. 

The 25-year-old is another player who has also been linked with Manchester United.

Zubimendi Tough To Prise Away From Real Sociedad

Martin Zubimendi was thought to be on his way to Liverpool in the summer, only for the 25-year-old opting to stay at Real Sociedad. 

The Spain international was born in San Sebastian, is a boyhood La Real fan and came through the club’s academy, so he is reluctant to move on.

However, the chance to join arguably the best team in Europe could be difficult to decline. Zubimendi is priced at 7/2 to be Manchester City's first addition in the January window. 

Joao Pedro An Attacking Option For City

It is by no means a given that City will look to strengthen in the engine room in January, not least because it would be difficult to replace Rodri like-for-like. 

Besides, Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, Matheus Nunes, Rico Lewis, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva can all play in the centre of the park, so too can Manuel Akanji and John Stones at a push.

The Brazilian has had a stop-start season so far because of injury, but there is no doubting his quality and Brighton would be loath to lose him. Joao Pedro is 9/2 to be the first signing made by the champions in January.

Other players lined up with a possible move to City in January include Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic (6/1), Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes (8/1) and former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves (12/1).

* Reminder: These are hypothetical odds provided by industry experts.