's ambitions to reunite with one of his former stars were scuppered by the weather. The reigning champions have been active in the current transfer window in a bid to address an alarming slide in form both domestically and in Europe.

Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush , while centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov signed for £33m along with 18-year-old Brazilian defender Vitor Reis, who joined from Palmeiras for £29.4m.

But the club failed to persuade the experienced Sergio Busquets to come on board from Inter Miami as a short-term replacement for the injured .

The 36-year-old was part of Guardiola's iconic side that landed the in both 2009 and 2011. The Spaniard made 722 appearances for the Catalan giants before reuniting with former team-mates and Jordi Alba in America.

Speculation was rife he would head to England in January, especially given Guardiola's agent Pere is employed as his agent. While the Catalan has confirmed he would have liked a reunion, he also revealed the midfielder wasn't about to swap sunshine for the Manchester rain.

Asked if there was still a chance Busquets would sign, Guardiola said: "No - because he is so happy in Miami. The weather there is so delightful! I spoke to Sergio, not for that issue, but quite often. We have the same agent, so I've been in touch for many years."

Ballon d'Or winner Rodri after getting injured against Arsenal in September. His absence has been cited as critical in City's downturn in form, with Mateo Kovacic and Ilkay Gundogan struggling in the holding midfield role since then.

Despite the recent spending spree, Guardiola also bemoaned City's inability to get midfield reinforcements in so far, despite having been linked to the £50m rated Atalanta star Ederson. He added: "There are players that can do it (Rodri's role) - but clubs don't sell or they are so expensive.

"So we cannot do it but of course we thought about that because Kova and Gundo are helping us, but they are not proper, proper holding midfielders. We know that, so they are making an incredible effort and we are grateful for that.

"Many times over a tough period I know perfectly the players who stepped up to try and solve our problems we have with commitment and effort. That is why I am so grateful to a few of them."

Since his US move, Busquets has played 60 times for David Beckham's club. Having been given his senior debut by Guardiola in 2008, his number of career club appearances now stands at 816.