Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has his eye on ‘three or four’ possible defensive midfield targets for the defending Premier League champions.

Fernandinho has long established himself as a vital player for the Premier League champions, and underscored this when in his injury absence they suffered surprise back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Leicester City last month.

The 33-year-old former Brazil international re-established his importance as City returned to winning ways with supreme displays against Southampton, Liverpool and Huddersfield Town.

Despite having an enviably well-stocked squad, Guardiola lacks specialist cover at the base of his midfield, and was frustrated in attempts to sign Jorginho during the close season when the Italy playmaker opted for a swift reunion with his former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea.

A move to bring in quality cover appears unlikely during the current transfer window, while City have been linked to big money moves for Ajax protege Frenkie de Jong, and Lyon duo Tanguy Ndombele and Houssem Aouar – both of whom impressed against Guardiola’s men in the Champions League this season.

Although he declined to name names, the City boss told a news conference that a small handful of targets are in his sights – even if the prospect of replacing Fernandinho’s all-round capabilities will be no easy task.

‘I think the way we play, we need a guy with physicality, quick in the head and in reading our spaces to attack,’ he told a media conference.

‘The more things he can do, the better. It is not easy to find one player who can do everything. The price, the agents, the clubs when you want to buy the player…

‘We will see. We have seen many. There are three or four we are searching for in that position.’

The only other significant shortfall in Guardiola’s first-team group can be found at left-back, with Fabian Delph, Oleksandr ZInchenko, Aymeric Laporte and Danilo all having operated there out of position this term, following Benjamin Mendy’s latest knee operation.

The France defender is back in training, but will not be available to face Huddersfield Town on Sunday. His manager acknowledges that bringing in another specialist left-back is a priority.

‘We survived quite well last season, this season too. But we are thinking about that, yeah,’ he said.

‘I cannot assure you [City will buy a left-back] because I am delighted with the players I have. We are going to put on the table both options.

‘[Mendy] trains incredibly well. Sometimes it happens. Hopefully it will be the last time.’