Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is willing to wait until next summer before making a new midfield signing.
ESPN says Guardiola is interested in signing Wolves playmaker Ruben Neves.
The Spaniard has also been keeping tabs on Ajax ace Frenkie de Jong.
City dipped into the transfer market last winter to bring in Aymeric Laporte from Athletic Bilbao.
They also tried to land Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal, before his Manchester United switch forced their attention to Leicester's Riyad Mahrez.
However, Guardiola is said to be wary about strengthening in January for a second straight season.