Manchester City is on the verge of bolstering its defense with the impending signing of Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov. The Premier League club has successfully reached an agreement with Lens, with Khusanov set to sign a four-and-a-half-year contract, which includes the option for an additional year until June 2030. Meanwhile, City is also pursuing Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush, who has agreed in principle to a move, pending negotiations between the clubs. Furthermore, Manchester City continues to negotiate with Palmeiras for the young centre-back Vitor Reis, although the Brazilian club is reluctant to part ways with their rising star.
Abdukodir Khusanov's move to Manchester City marks a significant step for the talented defender. With Lens accepting City's offer, Khusanov is poised to bring his defensive prowess to the Premier League. The contract terms reflect Manchester City's long-term commitment to integrating Khusanov into their squad, potentially extending his stay until 2030.
Parallelly, City is making strides to secure Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt. The Egyptian forward has been in remarkable form this season, netting 13 goals in the Bundesliga. Although Marmoush is keen on joining Manchester City, knowing he is Pep Guardiola's first-choice target, Eintracht Frankfurt demands a substantial fee of around £67 million (€80 million) for his transfer. The negotiation process remains ongoing as both clubs work towards a mutually beneficial agreement.
On another front, Manchester City is eyeing Vitor Reis from Palmeiras. The 19-year-old centre-back has impressed with his performances, having made 22 appearances and scored two goals for Palmeiras. However, Palmeiras is participating in the Club World Cup and is intent on retaining Reis. The Brazilian club's valuation of Reis stands between £33.5 million to £40 million, while Manchester City expresses willingness to meet the lower end of this range at £33.5 million (€40 million) plus bonuses.
The January transfer window provides a limited timeframe for these negotiations, as it closes on Monday, February 3, at 11 pm UK time for Premier League clubs. Italian clubs face an earlier deadline on Saturday, February 1, at 7 pm, while Turkey's transfer window extends until Tuesday, February 11. This tight schedule adds urgency to City's negotiations for Marmoush and Reis.
In a broader context, speculation surrounds Vitor Reis's readiness for a transition to European football. Football analyst Tim Vickery commented on Reis's situation:
"If you were to put him in the Premier League at the moment, he would really be bullied. So, perhaps it serves everyone's interests for him to stay a little bit longer in Brazilian football." – Tim Vickery
Vickery's insights highlight the considerations Manchester City must weigh as they pursue the young Brazilian talent.
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