Manchester City are searching for midfield reinforcements this month.
Pep Guardiola had not planned to dip into the January transfer market but circumstances have dictated that they are now weighing up whether to spend.
Sportsmail understands Guardiola would also potentially be open to landing a midfielder on loan as a short-term solution until the summer.
The Catalan and sporting director Txiki Begiristain are understood to have taken the decision after Ilkay Gundogan was ruled out for the remainder of the season in December.