Manchester City supporters were slightly disappointed in the Transfer Tavern on Wednesday night after seeing their team lose 2-1 against Shakhtar Donetsk, yet remain hugely optimistic about their side’s chances of silverware going into the second half of the season.

Pep Guardiola’s men were tipped by many to go on and win the Premier League title this season, and they have certainly lived up to expectations by winning 14 of their opening 15 league games to lead neighbours Manchester United by eight points at the summit. And although they lost 2-1 to Shakhtar on Wednesday night, the Citizens comfortably won their Champions League group to suggest that they will very much be a force to be reckoned with on both the domestic and European stage come the New Year.

Thus, many of our resident City supporters have been daring to dream about what their team could go on to achieve in 2018, although some feel that more reinforcements, especially defensively, may be needed to clinch major honours come May.

And that is why several of those Citizens fans lining up at the bar have been intrigued by recent reports linking them with West Brom defender Jonny Evans, who is also attracting interest from Arsenal, Everton, and West Ham.

The Northern Ireland international was subject of a bid from Guardiola’s men during the summer but no deal materialised, yet reports suggest that City are still interested in bringing the former United star to the Etihad Stadium in January.

However, Guardiola should forget a move for Evans, and instead must focus his energy on getting a deal done for one of these TWO defenders…

Inigo Martinez

26-year-old Inigo Martinez came up through the ranks at Spanish side Real Sociedad, and has since gone on to become a stalwart in their first team with 233 appearances for the club since his senior debut back in 2011.

Yet his future at the La Liga outfit was far from certain over the summer amid interest from Manchester City, although no deal materialised, but that doesn’t appear to have put Guardiola off as the Citizens are reportedly keen on landing him in January.

And given Martinez’s ability to play left-back as well as centre-back, and what with first-choice left-back Benjamin Mendy out for much of the season, it’s a move Guardiola must seek to make in the New Year.

Virgil van Dijk

Virgil van Dijk’s proposed move away from Southampton was the talk of the summer transfer window, only for the Dutchman to remain at St Mary’s beyond the August 31 deadline.

However, the centre-back has since said that he remains hopeful of a move in January, and that should be music to the ears of Man City boss Guardiola, who has reportedly been linked with the 26-year-old in the recent past.

Yet with Liverpool likely favourites to land van Dijk, the Citizens have a battle on their hands trying to land his signature, but their lofty league position and seriously bright future under Guardiola could be enough to sway the Dutch international’s mind in January.