Manchester City are hoping to agree a deal with Swansea for Ivorian striker Wilfried Bony said to be in the region of £30 million.
The Citizens need the striker as back-up after having seen Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic all miss matches due to injuries including a time last month when City had to play without a frontman.
Despite all being available for today’s game with Everton City boss Pellegrini says he cannot risk being without a striker as the club competes on three fronts.
“Yes, of course, the injuries [to the other strikers] were part of the decision because we had too many of them,” he said.
“It’s normal that strikers are injured more than other players, especially here in England where it’s more physical football and you need strong players.
“That’s why I said last season, and also again this season, we need four strikers.”
Pellegrini started the season without fourth striker Alvaro Negredo who was allowed to join Valencia because of a need to return to Spain for personal reasons and now with Valencia agreeing to sign him permanently in the summer Pellegrini will strengthen in January.
He said: “It’s important you have the squad you think you need. Last season we had four strikers, and all four of them were useful to win the title.
“You cannot say that because you are bringing in another striker you are going to win the title. But you need to analyse the first part of the season and I assure you that we need a fourth striker.”
Even if City does sign Bony, he will not be available until the end of the African Nations Cup in February.
When he does arrive howeverhe will provide stiff competition for Dzeko and Jovetic who even when fit have proved not to be on top form.
He added: “It’s very important for all players to have competition because they produce their best performance when they have important competition.”
