LllManchester City are reportedly considering a January move for Atletico Madrid right-back Nahuel Molina as Pep Guardiola looks to strengthen the right side of his defence.

The Premier League champions spent over £150 million in the summer window but failed to address a long-standing weakness on the right flank. Despite their dominance across competitions, Guardiola is still without a natural, first-choice right-back who fully fits his tactical system.

Guardiola’s defensive imbalance

Rico Lewis remains the most natural option available to Guardiola, while Matheus Nunes has been occasionally deployed as a makeshift right-back since joining from Wolves.

Central defenders John Stones and Abdukodir Khusanov have also been used on the right side when needed, but neither provides the same attacking balance Guardiola typically demands from his full-backs.

The situation has prompted City’s recruitment team to identify potential reinforcements ahead of the winter transfer window, with Molina emerging as one of the key names under consideration.

Nahuel Molina tops City’s shortlist

According to reports from TEAMtalk, Manchester City view the right side of their defence as a priority area for strengthening in January. The club has already shortlisted Molina as a possible target, with scouts impressed by his defensive work rate and forward movement.

Molina, who joined Atletico Madrid from Udinese in 2022, is seen as a player who could seamlessly fit into City’s possession-based system.

However, the club has not yet made a final decision on whether to advance negotiations before the summer of 2026. For now, City are closely monitoring his situation in Spain, aware that Manchester United are also showing interest in the Argentine.

Uncertain times for Molina at Atletico

The 27-year-old full-back has endured a challenging start to the season under Diego Simeone. Molina has fallen behind Marcos Llorente in the pecking order and has managed just one start from six competitive appearances so far.

With his contract due to expire in 2026, Atletico Madrid could be open to offers in January to avoid a future where his market value begins to drop. That scenario could present an opportunity for City, who have a long-standing reputation for striking strategic mid-season deals.

Still vital for Argentina

Despite his reduced role at club level, Molina continues to be a trusted figure for Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni.

The World Cup-winning defender has been included in the national squad for their upcoming fixtures against Venezuela and Puerto Rico, underscoring his enduring importance to the Albiceleste setup.

For Manchester City, a potential move for Molina could solve a tactical imbalance that has lingered since the departure of Joao Cancelo.

Whether the champions act in January or wait until the summer may depend on how Guardiola’s current defensive options perform over the coming weeks.