While January could be a busier transfer window than usual in 2025 as far as new signings are concerned, the same issues that have forced Manchester City's hand for incomings mean there may be caution for any players leaving the Etihad.

City want to bring in new blood to boost their injury-ravaged squad and begin a rebuild that is desperately needed in the coming years. A defensive midfielder seems to be the priority, although that won't be an easy search given the need for a player to be as good as Rodri yet happy to be number two.

January is often a time for fringe players and academy talents to look at loan moves, too. City use this window to reassess loans and find others, but the first team issues may complicate decisions in certain cases. In general, City are not expecting any significant exits in January and Pep Guardiola has said as much in interviews.

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Take defender Josh Wilson-Esbrand, for example. Included in pre-season, the 22-year-old left-back was expected to leave on loan in the summer but got injured in the final friendly in the USA. He has since returned to training and is considered a first team player, featuring on the bench a number of times this season without playing.

He has previously been out on loan at Coventry, Cardiff and Reims so City wouldn't stand in his way of another temporary exit. However the need to maintain numbers in the senior squad is another consideration.

That is the same for the academy players on the fringes of the first team who have propped up the bench in recent weeks - and even featured on occasion - who may be attracting interest from other clubs. There are not expected to be many new loan exits in January, but if the right move comes along the club will not stand in their way.

City will also assess players currently out on loan, with talks happening with at least one club over a potential recall. Hull City boss Ruben Selles has confirmed they have spoken to City over the future of loanee Finley Burns who has struggled for minutes this season.

Burns impressed in League One last season with Stevenage but has failed to get consistent games in the Championship, and Hull may look to free up his space in the squad for new additions of their own.

"The situation with Finn is a very [interesting one]," Selles told Hull Live. "It's a situation that we are monitoring every day. As a person and as a player, he works really hard and is very honest for us. [His future] is something that we are evaluating with him also, and we will do what is the best for the club and the best for him."

Other loanees who are struggling to get regular games are left-back Tom Galvez at LASK and midfielder Kian Breckin at Crewe. One player who will not be recalled is Kalvin Phillips, who will remain at Ipswich for the full duration of his season-long loan as it did not include a recall clause.