Man City reach ‘verbal agreement’ for fourth January signing as Man Utd star’s agent attends Chelsea v Wolves

Manchester City and Manchester United return to European action this week as January transfer business ramps up as deadline day comes into view. City have had a busy window so far as they confirmed the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens on a four-and-a-half-year deal on Monday.

Deals are also being worked on for Vitor Reis and Omar Marmoush with those expected to be completed well in advance of the window closing. After his move to the Etihad Stadium was confirmed, Khusanov said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester City, a club that I have enjoyed watching for a long time. This squad is full of the best players in the world, and I can’t wait to meet them and play alongside them.

“And of course Pep Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches ever and I am so excited to learn from him and improve my game even more. This is a very proud moment for me and my family to be joining a great Club like Manchester City and I’m more than ready for this challenge.”

City are preparing for a huge Champions League tie with Paris Saint-Germain as they look to avoid falling out of the top 24 while in the Europa League United host Rangers in an all-British affair. Both clubs are eyeing a top-eight finish with United in seventh and the Ibrox club in eighth.

City reach ‘verbal agreement’ for fourth summer signing

Pep Guardiola continues to strengthen his squad at City after a difficult few months and the club have agreed a fourth move of the January window. According to Fabrizio Romano, City have reached a verbal agreement to sign Juma Bah from Valladolid. The transfer expert posted on X: “Manchester City are set to sign 2004 [sic] born CB Juma Bah from Valladolid! Verbal agreement done. Understand plan could include loan move to RC Lens being discussed, excellent relationship after Khusanov deal. Formal steps to follow… here we go, soon.”

Bah was born in 2006 and turns 19 in April and is from Freetown in Sierra Leone. He became the first player born in the African nation to play in La Liga when he made his debut for Valladoid at the start of this season.

On the club’s transfer business Guardiola said: “Last season we had the feeling that sooner or later we have to make movements in the market. So we do it. We would not have done it if the players would be fit, but today we still have one, two central defenders and no more. Holding midfield we struggled”.

Garnacho agent attends Chelsea v Wolves

The agent of United forward Alejandro Garnacho was in attendance as Chelsea beat Wolves 3-1 in the Premier League on Monday night. The Argentine has been linked with the Stamford Bridge club this month while Serie A side Napoli are also pursuing a move for the 20-year-old.

In an update on the player’s future, Romano said on Monday: “Alejandro Garnacho situation remains open, doors are not closed ahead of final two weeks. Napoli keep pushing with Antonio Conte who had direct call with Garnacho on Friday. Chelsea made direct contact with Man United to ask for conditions, with more talks expected soon.”

Garnacho has eight goals in 32 appearances for United this season. He scored in the Community Shield draw with City at the start of the season and netted a double in the 7-0 win over League One Barnsley in the Carabao Cup. He has also found the net against Southampton, Brentford, Leicester City - in the Premier League and League Cup - and Bodo Glimt. United are willing to sell the forward if a big enough offer is made.