Manchester City supporters have been making all the noise in the Transfer Tavern this term after seeing their side make an unbelievable start to the season, which sets them up perfectly for a charge at major honours in the second half of the campaign.

Pep Guardiola’s men were tipped by many to go on and win the Premier League title this season, and their 2-1 victory over Manchester United last weekend was the clearest indication that they are well placed to lift a third league crown in six seasons. And having coasted through their Champions League group as well, winning five and losing the other of their six games, Guardiola’s side will have high hopes of going deep in Europe’s elite competition, with Swiss giants Basel standing in their way in the last 16 come February.

Subsequently, there have been many delighted Citizens fans in the Tavern in recent times, several of whom are already looking ahead to the January window following comments made by boss Guardiola recently, which hinted that the club may be looking to bring a defender to the Etihad Stadium when the window reopens.

City lost centre-back John Stones to injury last month and as such he is unlikely to feature again until 2018, while Vincent Kompany’s injury issues have been well-documented in the last few years, and as such he surely cannot be relied upon between now and the end of the season.

And Guardiola revealed that bringing a defender in during the winter window is a possibility, and as such here are THREE centre-backs the league leaders could target following the manager’s recent admission…

Jonny Evans

West Brom defender Jonny Evans was subject of a late bid from Manchester City during the summer transfer window, yet the Northern Ireland international remained at the Hawthorns beyond the August 31 deadline.

And the former Manchester United centre-back has continued to prove his worth to the Baggies with 13 successive starts for Alan Pardew’s side, consisting of several impressive performances along the way.

And Guardiola clearly rates the 29-year-old following reported interest in the summer, and if the Spaniard is keen on bolstering his ranks in January, he could do a lot worse than bring Evans back to Manchester, just a few years after leaving Old Trafford.

Inigo Martinez

Inigo Martinez has spent the whole of his professional career at Spanish side Real Sociedad, but could well be on the move in January if Man City get their way.

The 26-year-old interested Citizens boss Guardiola over the summer but no deal materialised, and the four-times Spain international has continued to underline his credentials with eight starts for the club in La Liga, including their last seven in a row.

And with Benjamin Mendy out for the majority of the campaign, Guardiola may look at Martinez’s ability to play left-back as a huge asset in the second half of the season, and as such could look to reignite his interest come the New Year.

Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk’s proposed move away from Southampton dominated the summer transfer window, only for the Netherlands international to remain at St Mary’s beyond the August 31 deadline.

However, the 26-year-old has since said that he remains hopeful of a move in January, before backtracking a few weeks later, in news which is sure to interest Man City boss Guardiola as his side have been linked with the centre-back in the past.

And given how well van Dijk has performed in the heart of the Saints backline ever since his move from Celtic back in 2015, he would certainly strengthen their backline, and as such it’s a move Guardiola must seek to make in January.