Manchester City are open to making a January midfield signing.

But the Manchester Evening News says that does NOT include a move for Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who has been linked with a move to the Blues.

After three defeats in four games has seen them slip seven points behind leaders Liverpool, and also fall behind Tottenham into third place, the need for squad reinforcement is blatant.

Injury to midfield kingpin Fernandinho has highlighted the fact that Pep Guardiola has no clear replacement for the Brazilian – the Blues have lost two of the three games he has missed with a thigh problem.

Guardiola tried to fill that gap by signing Napoli ace Jorginho in the summer, but was beaten to the punch by Chelsea.