Manchester City are gearing up for an active January transfer window, and renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed their first major move. The Premier League champions are set to shake up their squad, with several deals expected in the coming weeks.
Romano confirmed that City’s first confirmed piece of January business involves Issa Kabore, whose loan deal with Benfica will be terminated. Instead of returning to Pep Guardiola’s squad, Kabore will join Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on loan until the end of the season.
Additionally, City are heavily pursuing Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov. The Uzbekistan international is on Pep Guardiola’s radar, with City among several top European clubs interested in the 20-year-old talent.
QUOTES:
Breaking the news on 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.”
Discussing Khusanov on his YouTube channel, Romano added:
“Keep an eye on Khusanov. He’s a centre-back playing for Lens in Ligue 1 doing very well. He’s a special talent. My understanding is that Pep Guardiola has this player as one of the big names for the January transfer window. Some contacts have already started.”
RECALL:
Issa Kabore, a versatile wing-back, has struggled for regular game time at Benfica, featuring in just seven matches this season with one assist. The move to Werder Bremen offers the 23-year-old a fresh opportunity to prove his worth.
Meanwhile, Khusanov has been turning heads with his performances in Ligue 1. Signed by Lens for just €100,000 18 months ago, his current Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) is €10.2 million. However, Lens are expected to demand a significantly higher fee for their promising defender, whose contract runs until 2027.
CITATIONS:
This report is based on the information from:
- Fabrizio Romano via X and YouTube
- Transfermarkt statistics
KEEP IN MIND:
Manchester City’s transfer strategy emphasizes building for the future while maintaining their competitive edge in domestic and European competitions. Kabore’s move and Khusanov’s potential signing align with the club’s focus on youth development and strategic squad depth.
