Manchester City have enquired to Atletico Madrid about the availability of Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey. With Fernandinho out on the sidelines due to injury, the Citizens are said to be interested in Partey as they look to add further strength to their squad who have lost their two last matches in the Premier League.

Meanwhile, Partey recently disclosed that he is happy at the Wanda Metropolitano having featured in 14 league matches with two goals and two assists to his name.

Fabregas is rumoured to be in talks about leaving Chelsea in January, with AC Milan and Monaco credited with an interest in the 31-year-old, but McGarry claims City are also exploring the potential of recruiting the former Barcelona star and reuniting him with Pep Guardiola. The veteran midfielder would likely be a stop-gap signing for City and provide back-up to the overworked Fernandinho.

Partey, one of the most exciting young holding midfielders in Europe, would be a more expensive and long-term buy, and acquiring him from Atletico Madrid in January could be difficult, considering he is an active part of Diego Simeone’s squad.

McGarry’s information contradicts City’s briefs that they will not be investing in the January window, with his information being that they will spend with the threat of potential Financial Fair Play issues on the horizon.

City have been linked with a host of central midfielders in the past few months, notably Frenkie de Jong and Tanguy Ndombele, who remain on the radar, but wantaway Chelsea star Fabregas and Atletico ace Partey are new names in the rumour mill.