Fabrizio Romano announces Man City’s first January transfer

Robin Bairner

5 Jan 2025 05:30 GMT
2 min read

Fabrizio Romano has announced that Manchester City are on the brink of completing their first January transfer.

Pep Guardiola’s side are expected to sign two or three players during the window, with Romano confirming that Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov is one player they are chasing intently.

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City’s first confirmed piece of January business, though, is set to come in the wing-back area.

STATS

Abdukodir Khusanov

D (CR)

Lens

Abdukodir Khusanov

D (CR)

Lens

13

Games
0

Goals
0

Assists

Issa Kabore is set to have a loan deal with Benfica severed, but rather than returning to Pep Guardiola’s squad, he will instead move to Bundesliga side Werder Bremen.

Taking to X, Romano stated: “Werder Bremen agree deal to sign Issa Kabore on loan from Manchester City, here we go!

“Benfica and City agreed to break the loan, since the wing-back wasn’t getting enough game time.

“…and Werder sign Kabore on loan until June. Done.”

STATS

Issa Kaboré

D, M (R)

Man City

Issa Kaboré

D, M (R)

Man City

7

Games
0

Goals
1

Assists

Romano hints at first signing

Khusanov could well become Man City’s first signing given that Lens have actively been looking to sell the Uzbekistan international, who they signed for just €100,000 18 months ago.

Speaking on Friday to his YouTube channel, Romano confirmed: “Keep an eye on Khusanov. He’s a centre-back playing for Lens in Ligue 1 doing very well. He’s a special talent.

“But it’s not only Manchester City who want him. My understanding is that Pep Guardiola has this player Khusanov as one of the big names for the January transfer window. Some contacts have already started.

“Lens know that Man City are interested but there are others around Europe – top, top clubs – also interested in the player. So we’ll see how City will move but they consider Khusanov as a serious option for January.”

The 20-year-old centre-back, who has a contract that runs until 2027, has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €10.2 million but is likely to be sold for two or even three times that figure.