Manchester City will bid for Inter Milan defender Milan Skriniar in January.
Aymeric Laporte, regarded as City's first-choice centre-back, has had a knee operation and is not expected back before the New Year.
The Daily Express says City want to bolster their options by signing Skriniar in January.
The Premier League champions are second in the league and cannot afford too many slip ups with leaders Liverpool off to a perfect start.
City boss Pep Guardiola could opt to play defensive midfielders Rodri and Fernandinho into the back four as emergency centre-backs.
