Manchester City transfers: Every January 2022 deal rated - and where it leaves City this season

Manchester City enter February with a very similar first-team squad to last month.

The Sky Blues tend to do minimal business in the January transfer window, especially when it comes to incomings, and this year was no different.

Pep Guardiola’s team has strength in depth in all areas and are preparing to retain their Premier League title, as well as make it to the latter stages of the FA Cup and Champions League.

With that being said, let’s see where last month’s activity has left City for the remainder of the season.

Were there any signings?

There was only one incoming transfer for the Sky Blues last month, the deadline day signing of Julian Alvarez from River Plate for €17m (£14.2m).

The Argentine, who celebrated his 22nd birthday with a move to the Etihad Stadium, has previously been linked to City’s rivals Manchester United, but opted for Guardiola’s side.

A forward was the main position in focus for the club, especially with the departure of Sergio Aguero last summer.

Alvarez’s arrival could indicate a new transfer strategy for the Sky Blues - more versatile players, with the Argentine able to play up front or on each wing.

However, the City faithful won’t be able to see their new man until at least season due to him remaining on loan with River Plate until July.

Other names linked to a move to the Etihad Stadium during the winter window were Zalan Vancsa, Paulo Dybala, Cody Gakpo and Erling Haaland.

Who left?

It was very much a busy month for outgoings at the Sky Blues with 10 departures (including Alvarez), six of which were permanent deals and four on loan.

The biggest name to leave the club was Ferran Torres, who joined Barcelona on the opening day of the window for £55.2m with add-ons.

He was followed out the exit door by Patrick Roberts, who signed for Sunderland on a permanent deal after spending the first half of the campaign on loan with Troyes.

Then it was a busy deadline day for player departures, Camron Gbadebo, Sam Robinson, Matt Smith and Luke Bolton all sealed moves to Colchester United, Port Vale, MK Dons and Salford City respectively.

Stoke City acquired Taylor Harwood-Bellis on loan for the remainder of the season - he spent the first half of the campaign with Anderlecht.

James Trafford stayed in the North-West with a temporary move to Bolton Wanderers. The shot-stopper was at Accrington Stanley on loan, before switching to the former mentioned club.

Swansea City signed Finley Burns on loan for the second half of the season, with the academy star a regular for the City Under-23 team.

Anything else?

Despite the winter window being closed in England, it is still open in other countries until February, meaning more names could leave the Etihad Stadium in February.

Philippe Sandler joined Feyenoord later on Tuesday. The 24-year-old’s contract with the Sky Blues expires at the end of the campaign and a move back to his homeland could benefit him massively.

Our view

It was no surprise that Guardiola did limited business during the window, with his last signing before Alvarez during January coming in 2018 with the transfer of Aymeric Laporte.

However, the business they have done should be commended, especially with the departures of Roberts, Smith and Bolton, all players who failed to break into the first team.

Their strength in depth is still paramount, but with Alvarez’s arrival not happening until July, it could be argued another forward would have helped, especially with the remaining fixtures in multiple competitions.