This summer, Manchester City had only been expected to bring in a midfielder and winger through the door.

And while manager Pep Guardiola has had no luck yet with the former after losing out on Jorginho to Chelsea, the Spaniard has seen Riyad Mahrez arrive at the Etihad from Leicester City in a club-record deal.

However, according to the notorious Don Balon, Manchester City could also be eyeing up a move for a forward before the transfer window closes shut next month.

The Breakdown

The Spanish publication reports the Premier League champions are prepared to pay up to £35m for Real Madrid's Karim Benzema.

Benzema, who is valued at £36m by Transfermarkt, could be on his way out of the Bernabeu with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez looking at bringing in a new batch of galacticos – to shake things up – following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus.

Benzema, as a result, could end up as a casualty. But given Manchester City's current options up front, a move to the Etihad makes no sense.

Despite not being as efficient in front of goal as he once was, Benzema is still a very effective centre-forward. He links up play well and, ultimately, would be a very good fit in a Guardiola side.

However, in Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus, Guardiola has two of the most lethal strikers in English football right now.

Quite simply, Manchester City do not have any room for Benzema, while Guardiola will be more concerned with improving his squad in midfield.