Man City identify Adam Wharton & Martin Zubimendi as Rodri replacements - with transfer plans brought forward to halt alarming slide

City had been plotting to go after a new midfielder next summer, but the loss of Rodri due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury has forced them to consider investing in January, The Daily Mail reports, and Crystal Palace midfielder Wharton and Real Sociedad star Zubimendi are on the list.

Wharton, 20, joined Palace from Blackburn in February this year and has already been linked with a move to Liverpool as well as City. Zubimendi, meanwhile, has also been linked with both sides and came close to moving to Anfield last summer.

Rodri has been out of action since sustaining his season-ending injury against Arsenal on September 22. While City remained unbeaten over the following four matches, they now find themselves in a dismal run of five losses and a draw over their last six games.

Pep Guardiola's team will hope to put an end to their woeful run on Sunday when they meet Liverpool, who are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.