Manchester City could have to sell someone from their squad before investing in a new centre-back.

The Citizens want to shore up their back line by finding a partner for Aymeric Laporte.

Pep Guardiola knows a leaky defence is one reason why they have struggled to keep pace with Liverpool in the Premier League this season. But funds may be tight as they look to secure a new defender.

"I don't know that right now," Guardiola said when asked about the signing a new centre-half in the transfer window, per Goal.com.

"The places I was - Barcelona, Bayern [Munich] and here - when the club say we cannot afford it, we cannot afford it.

"But I don't know, it depends on the people who stay.

"Maybe in the next two months the team make a step forward and we will stay with the same people.

"I don't know right now."