While Manchester City was relatively quiet during the summer transfer window, they have already started making moves in the winter market. This is due to a disappointing first half of the season. The Sky Blues are set to announce a new signing in the coming days.

Manchester City's 2024-2025 season has not gone as expected. Sitting in sixth place in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, the Sky Blues have gone through a lengthy crisis in recent weeks, something that hasn’t happened to the current four-time English champions in a long time.

The Citizens have already lost 6 Premier League matches, were prematurely eliminated from the EFL Cup, and are only 22nd in the regular season standings of the Champions League. Faced with this situation, the club, managed by Pep Guardiola, has decided to take matters into their own hands and use the winter transfer window to reverse the negative trend.

A First Signing from Lens

Manchester City was relatively calm during the summer transfer market of 2024, signing only Savinho for €25 million from Girona, a City Football Group team, and Gundogan, who arrived as a free agent after leaving Barça. The English side was unable to find a real replacement for Julian Alvarez, who moved to Atlético Madrid. However, this time, the situation seems different.

The 2023 Champions League winners started negotiating with their winter targets at the end of December. The first signing will be Abdukodir Khusanov, a defender from RC Lens. An agreement has been reached between the French club and the English team for the Uzbek international, who is expected to cost approximately €50 million, including bonuses.

Is Marmoush on the Way?

The 20-year-old will strengthen a City defense that has been quite weak this season. A defense that has been a strength in recent years is facing significant difficulties this 2024-2025 season, having already conceded 27 goals in 20 Premier League matches. However, he is not the only signing expected in the North of England. Manchester City is preparing a major move this winter with the probable signing of Oumar Marmoush. The Egyptian international is one of the most sought-after players in Europe at the moment.

With 14 goals in 16 Bundesliga matches, the Eintracht Frankfurt forward has also scored 4 goals in 6 Europa League matches. In total, he has 19 goals and 12 assists in 25 games. The 25-year-old Pharaoh has become one of the most prolific players in Europe since August. He could come to energize City’s attacking line, which has lacked confidence this season, except for the inevitable Erling Haaland.

A Defensive Midfielder Requested by Guardiola?

The English club is in advanced discussions with their German counterpart and reportedly already has the player’s agreement for a transfer as soon as possible. Frankfurt is asking for €80 million to let their young star go. The deal could be completed next week. Marmoush, for his part, scored a new goal this weekend against St. Pauli in the Bundesliga, perhaps as a farewell gift to his current team. After that, Manchester City could be tempted to make a final signing.

The target area is, of course, the defensive midfield position. With Rodri’s serious injury in September, the Citizens have no real replacement for the indispensable Spaniard. Pep Guardiola may request one last signing from his board. In the meantime, the Catalan manager is gradually regaining his smile, having won his last three matches, including the most recent one this Saturday in the FA Cup against Salford (8-0).