Blackburn 1 Man City 1: Manuel Pellegrini coy on January transfers

Manuel Pellegrini remained coy when quizzed about Manchester City’s plans for the January transfer window after his side were held to a draw by Blackburn in the FA Cup third round.

City have been linked with swoops for Porto defenders Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi in recent weeks – but Pellegrini insisted that there is currently nothing to report on the transfer front.

“For the moment we will stay exactly the same,” Pellegrini told BT Sport when asked about his plans for the January window.

It was a very close game against a difficult team

Manuel Pellegrini

“That doesn’t mean that we cannot do maybe something from now until the end of January but for the moment, nothing important.”

City took the lead on the stroke of half-time at Ewood Park when Alvaro Negredo slotted in at the far post after Edin Dzeko headed on David Silva’s corner.

But Rovers equalised to earn a replay 10 minutes after half-time when Costel Pantilimon failed to hold onto the ball and let Scott Dann tap home.

“I think that it was a very close game against a difficult team,” Pellegrini continued. “They play here with lots of intensity. We now must decide who’ll continue in the FA Cup at home.”