January 22 – Defending champions Manchester City, rocked by a series of domestic setbacks until Sunday’s 6-0 trouncing of Ipswich, have splashed the cash on two defenders in as many days in an attempt to revive their flagging title hopes.
On Monday, City signed Abdukodir Khusanov, who has played 18 times for Uzbekistan, from Lens on a reported 4.5-year contract for an initial €40 million. Khusanov quickly earned a reputation for his passing ability and distribution after Lens signed him on a four-year deal but the club needs to sell players amid financial difficulties.
City didn’t stop there, 24 hours later adding 19-year-old central defender Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for €35 million.
City have been hit with injury issues at centreback this season, with Ruben Dias, John Stones and Nathan Ake all having time out of action.
Up front, they have also been strongly linked with Eintracht Frankfurt forward Omar Marmouush for a reported €75 million.
Pep Guardiola’s team is in fifth place in its Premier League title defence, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool having played one game more, and is battling to advance from the league stage of the revamped Champions League.
They play Paris Saint-Germain tonight, with both teams in danger of being eliminated.
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