Transfer package is available
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This article was published on January 10 at 7:31 a.m. and was later updated with the Khusanov settlement.
Manchester City is busier on the transfer market than it has been for a long time – but they haven’t been in sixth place after 20 match days in the league for 15 years. In addition to negotiations with Eintracht Frankfurt for Omar Marmoush (25), the series champions also have two defensive talents on their list: Vitor Reis (18) from Palmeiras and Abdukodir Khusanov (20) from RC Lens. The latter will most likely join the Skyblues; a contract until 2029 with an option for another year has been negotiated, it is said.
While Marmoush’s transfer fee is between 60 million and 80 million euros, Palmeiras is ready to negotiate from 30 million euros and, according to the French “L’Equipe“It is Lens from 40 million euros. With this sum plus bonuses, an agreement now seems to have been found in the Khusanov case, as “Sky” and “The Athleticreported unanimously on Friday evening. Khusanov is waiting for the green light for his flight to England; the medical check has not yet been scheduled.
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Man City needs new additions in January as coach Pep Guardiola is currently without central defenders Rúben Dias (27) and John Stones (30) and Nathan Aké (29) and Manuel Akanji (29) were also missing with injuries during the first half of the season. Talented Jahmai Simpson-Pusey (19), for example, has recently been regularly promoted to the professional squad.
According to “L’Équipe”, Lens is dependent on income and recently parted ways with regular goalkeeper Brice Samba (30), who moved to Rennes, for 14 million euros. But that wasn’t enough and so, in addition to Khusanov, his partner in the defense center Kevin Danso (26) is also considered a sales candidate – the signs point to Khusanov’s departure.
RC Lens “wants to create economic balance”
In addition to Man City, Tottenham and Newcastle were also interested in the Uzbekistan international, but these clubs are now said to have refrained from a transfer because of the wealthy competition. Man City sporting director Txiki Begiristain was in contact with the player and club and explored the terms and conditions of the deal. On the French side, consultant Jorge Mendes and his agency Gestifute were brought in to help with the negotiations. Mendes’ connection to the Citizens is good, after all, Dias, Bernardo Silva (30), Matheus Nunes (26) and Ederson (31) are some of his most valuable clients in the Skyblues squad.
RC Lens’ general director Pierre Dréossi told “DAZN” about Khusanov’s departure after just a year and a half: “If he has to leave and the offers are interesting, then it is the case in order to restore economic balance.” Lens took 1st place .86 meter tall central defender in the summer of 2023 for 100,000 euros from the Belarusian club Energetik-BGU. 18 months later, it could be one of the most expensive, if not the most expensive, departures in the club’s history. “Sky“Reporter Patrick Berger initially even reported a package worth 50 million euros including bonuses.
The now rumored 40 million euros would make him, along with Loïs Openda (24, Leipzig), the most expensive sale. Should Man City be successful in all three transfer targets, spending this winter could break the €150 million mark. Almost a month ago, Guardiola said, “we don’t need any new ones” – that seems to have changed.
The Citizens’ highest investments to date in a winter transfer window come from the 2017/18 season when, among others, Aymeric Laporte (30) came and 69 million euros were invested. Chelsea made the record expenditure in a January after the Winter World Cup in January 2023 with 329.5 million euros.