As the January transfer window progresses, Manchester City have reportedly received a first response in their search for much-needed defensive reinforcements for Pep Guardiola.
Man City transfer news
Although the Citizens have finally returned to winning ways of late, there is no taking away the fact that this has been their worst season under Guardiola and they are in desperate need of fresh faces.
So it was no surprise to see their club dominate the transfer headlines in the first 11 days of the window, with names like Omar Marmoush already mentioned.
The Eintracht Frankfurt striker has been one of the most in-form players in European football so far this season and has attracted increasing interest from Manchester City as a result.
In a deal that would finally ease Erling Haaland’s responsibility to be City’s side’s sole goalscorer, Marmoush could come in and turn their campaign around.
Looking elsewhere, those at the Etihad certainly have the wherewithal to welcome fresh faces after resisting the urge to splash the cash in the summer transfer window after winning a fourth successive Premier League title, with another target including the young defender.
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According to Ben Jacobs, Manchester City are still optimistic of signing Vitor Reis despite Palmeiras rejecting their initial offer. The Brazilians are reportedly keen to keep hold of their defender for the Club World Cup, but it remains to be seen whether City’s confidence will deny them that opportunity this month.
Reis, of course, does not appear to be the only defender interested, with Abdukodir Khusanov also reportedly closing in on a mid-season move Premier League champions.
“Thiago Silva heir” Reis is one for the future
Still only 18, Reis is not a player expected to have an immediate impact on Manchester City’s back line. Most importantly, however, Guardioli would immediately secure a star for the future in an otherwise antiquated defense. Analysts call him “the Brazilian successor to Thiago Silva”. Ben Mattinson back in October, the teenager was certainly highly rated.
With John Stones now 30 and often struggling with injuries, welcoming an eventual replacement in Reis alongside Khusanov would be the kind of intelligent move the Premier League has become familiar with at Manchester City.
But after seeing their first bid rejected, City must go again.
