Pep Guardiola prefers to sign future stars in the winter months, with Claudio Echeverri the latest wonderkid through the door at the Etihad. He has been immediately loaned back to River Plate where he will continue his apprenticeship before joining City in the summer.
Julian Alvarez was a South American sensation who previously arrived from River in January before returning to the Argentine giants. You have to go back to January 2018 - with Aymeric Laporte - to find the last time Guardiola signed a first-team starter in the winter.
Despite this, rumours linking City with moves for several potential incomings continue to emerge. Here is a look at how the starting line-up could look in 2024 if the rumours are true.
1. GK - Ederson
The undisputed number one between the sticks. | Visionhaus/Getty Images
2. LB - Josko Gvardiol
A future world-beater. | Getty Images
3. CB - Ruben Dias
Quietly ranks as the best centre-back in the Premier League. A colossus at the back. | CameraSport via Getty Images
4. CB - John Stones
Has endured a frustrating season due to injury. He is regarded as City's first-choice partner for Ruben Dias. | Getty Images