Manchester City, despite their spending spree in the last 13 years, are not big fans of the January transfer window. Since strengthening considerably in 2009, when they seemingly faced a relegation dogfight, the Blues have only moved in the mid-season window when it was opportune or necessary.
Aymeric Laporte was brought in as the Blues suffered an injury crisis among their centre backs, but he was already a target - the squad issues simply meant they moved a few months early.
Gabriel Jesus arrived in January, but that deal had been done six months earlier and, like Julian Alvarez in this window, he was allowed to remain in South America until the next window.
And Edin Dzeko, like Laporte, was another long-term target who became available, and who Roberto Mancini thought might give them the extra edge to secure a Champions League place.
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