Man City ‘set for £100m January transfer spree’ to replace Aguero and David Silva as they look to keep up with Liverpool

MANCHESTER CITY are reportedly plotting a winter splurge as they aim to keep pace with Liverpool.

The Citizens are nine points behind their title rivals following their 3-1 defeat at the weekend and questions have been asked of their squad depth.

David Silva, 33, is set to leave at the end of the season, while a long-term replacement for 31-year-old Sergio Aguero is also needed.

The Daily Mail reports that Etihad chiefs will fork out at least £100million to land two new players to take over from Silva and Aguero.

As well as signing attacking reinforcements, Pep Guardiola knows his side are seriously hampered by the injury to Aymeric Laporte in September.

The Frenchman still faces at least another three months on the sidelines and his absence has exposed the weaknesses of John Stones and Nicolas Otamendi at the back.

Vincent Kompany is yet to be replaced after leaving in the summer and City’s defence was ruthlessly taken apart on Sunday.

Midfielder Fernandinho has been drafted in as an emergency defender, while Rodri failed to offer the same protection the Brazilian usually affords in front of the back four.

Guardiola is ready to address the issue by spending big once again on another central defender, with Benfica’s Ruben Dias an option.

City will hope to bounce back from their weekend defeat when they face in-form Chelsea at the Etihad on Saturday 23.