It's been a quiet month at Manchester City on the transfer front, so it's not surprising that a new rumour has emerged with ten days left of the January window.
City aren't expecting any major incomings, while the main business regarding outgoings was completed before the window even opened, as Barcelona confirmed the signing of Ferran Torres in late December.
Aside from some new loans for youngsters, City are set to have a quiet end to January as they prepare to try and sign a striker in the summer. That hasn't stopped reports of Aleks Zinchenko potentially leaving, however, as Spanish media suggest Real Betis could be interested.
It's the kind of report that will be discounted pretty quickly, but Zinchenko is among a group of City players who are probably expendable if the club were keen to raise some transfer funds. With a striker on the shopping list in the summer, a big fee for Zinchenko could be a way to boost their budget.
Signed for just £1.8m, Zinchenko would make City a lot of money if he was sold, especially with two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract. He's established himself as a quality, reliable left-back, and has played in a Champions League final and Euro 2020 quarter-final in the last year - as well as winning a third Premier League title.
With the potential to play in midfield too, Zinchenko is an attractive option for a buying club who could offer him more regular playing time than City can. The Blues also have Joao Cancelo, Nathan Ake, Aymeric Laporte and Josh Wilson-Esbrand who could offer cover at left-back.
If there was the possibility to make a £20-30m profit on Zinchenko, in addition to the £26m profit already made on Torres this month, City shouldn't immediately turn it down.
However, counter reports have quickly suggested there is little truth in the rumours, and despite the temptation to sell, Txiki Begiristain and Pep Guardiola will know there is more value in keeping the popular Ukrainian until the summer at least.
While there is cover at left-back, Zinchenko is one of only three recognised senior full-backs across both flanks in the squad as Cancelo can also cover Kyle Walker on the right.
As the Champions League returns and FA Cup adds to the fixture list on top of City's Premier League title push, it would be counter-productive to sell a quality cover option in a key position.
Even if he's used later in the Premier League season as the cups become the priority, he will be needed to play a crucial role in the next four or five months. Going forward, as Fernandinho nears the end of his career, Zinchenko also offers cover in midfield if needed.
Any short-term gain by selling Zinchenko is clearly outweighed by the advantage of keeping him in the squad. City need as many players as possible this season as they look to retain their title and make history in the Champions League. If they lift at least one of those in May, City will know that's something they can't put a price on.
