Despite being top of the Premier League, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says the club "absolutely" needs to sign a striker, despite rarely selecting anyone in a traditional striker's role.
After losing Sergio Aguero in the summer, City has been without a recognized striker for the majority of the season.
The team also failed to sign Tottenham Hotspur striker Harry Kane.
"I think the team certainly needs a striker," Guardiola stated ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby.
"You say we win because we play phenomenally well without a striker. You say we need a striker when we aren't winning."
Aguero, the club's all-time leading scorer with 260 goals in all competitions, joined Barcelona on a free transfer in July.
Guardiola has been using Gabriel Jesus, who plays up front for Brazil, more as a winger this season.
Prior to joining for Barcelona in January, Spain striker Ferran Torres played many games as a center-forward, scoring twice against Arsenal in August.
Guardiola claimed this month that Spurs turned down four bids for Kane last summer, opting instead to sign his England teammate Jack Grealish for a British record £100 million.
In January, City purchased Argentina international attacker Julian Alvarez before promptly loaning him back to River Plate; the 22-year-old has scored 39 goals in 100 club appearances.
They were also close to signing Cristiano Ronaldo before he moved to Manchester United, whom they will meet on Sunday (kick-off 1630 GMT).
Due to the lack of a typical center-forward, City's Spanish boss has had to rely on players like Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, and Jack Grealish to fill the need.
Despite this perceived inferiority, only Liverpool has scored more league goals than City this season, with 64 in 27 games.
With 10 Premier League goals, Sterling is the club's highest scorer.
City leads Liverpool by three points and will face United at Etihad Stadium on Sunday, hoping for their first home win over their bitter rivals in four games.
Guardiola continued, referencing to press remarks, by saying: "'How do these players play without a striker,' you could ask. You must play with a striker in the Premier League.'
"So, we need a striker, and I believe the club is on the lookout for one.
Erling Braut Haaland, a 21-year-old striker from Borussia Dortmund, has been heavily connected with City and might be one of their summer targets.
blogpay
