Manchester City are making rapid progress in their pursuit of Palmeiras centre-back Vitor Reis, with reports that personal terms have been agreed with the teenage Brazilian. Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov also remains in his January contract transfer window wish list.
City’s reign in the Premier League came to an abrupt end as autumn turned to winter, losing six league games between the start of November and Christmas itself. That’s more defeats in a seven-week stretch than in any of the last three full Premier League seasons.
Across the squad, age is starting to take hold, with nine players aged 30 or over and a further three already 29 years old. Rodri will be part of that senior group until he returns from injury.
Multiple reports, including from BBC Sportthey named Reis and Khusanov as targets in January. Both are central defenders and both are at the very beginning of their football journey.
UOL were the first to report that there is an agreement with Reis and his agent, and the proposed contract is considered “finished”. Talks are ongoing with Palmeiras over a €40m (£33.5m) deal, with the hope that it can be completed before rival bidders become involved.
Reis will turn 19 at the end of this month and is another off the Palmeiras production line that has also recently produced Endrick and Chelsea-bound Esteva Willian. City previously dealt with the Brazilian club to sign teenager Gabriel Jesus in January 2017.
At 20, Khusanov is a bit older. He has been living in France since 2023, having joined RC Lens from the Belarusian side Energetik-BGU. The Uzbek national team player, who would become the first from that Central Asian country to play in the Premier League, was also valued at 40 million euros. The Athletic state City are working to beat Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur to his signature.
The city additionally remains linked with £50m Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush and Bayern Munich maestro Jamal Musialawho entered the final 18 months of his contract.
This winter will be the last one overseen by longtime director of football Txiki Begiristain before stepping down and handing over the reins pre-arranged replacement of Hugo Vian.
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