MANCHESTER -- New signing Anthony Caceres is not expected to be part of the Manchester City squad after joining from Central Coast Mariners.
The A-League club confirmed on Friday that City have agreed a deal to sign Australian playmaker Caceres, but Manuel Pellegrini told a news conference that he expects the 23-year-old to go out on loan for the rest of the season.
However, the City boss said he does not know if he will be heading to City's sister club Melbourne City.
"He will probably go on loan, he's not part of this squad at this moment," Pellegrini said. "It's something the club always does thinking about the future."
Caceres, who is yet to be capped by Australia at senior level, is set to become the second A-League player City have bought this season after former Brisbane Roar midfielder Luke Brattan headed to the Etihad in October.
The 25-year-old was immediately loaned to Championship club Bolton Wanderers, but cut short the move after failing to break into the first team.
Meanwhile, Pellegrini does not expect the transfer bans for Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid to have any impact on City.
Striker Sergio Aguero has long been on Real's wishlist and could be a target for the Spanish giants if they spend heavily before the January transfer window closes, but Pellegrini is not concerned.
"It will not be easy for those clubs, especially as they are always clubs that wants to buy top players," added the Chilean.
"We are thinking just in this moment in what we must do now and not what will happen in the market in the future."
