Manchester City are again throwing around a lot of money to save their season.
The Pitch Prospect understands Pep Guardiola’s side are close to making three new signings and heading into the 2024/25 season after a poor summer window.
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The latest update comes in the form of 19-year-old Palmeiras center back Vitor Reis.
The two clubs have agreed a transfer fee of £30 million, putting them ahead of Brighton, Wolves and Arsenal.
Palmeiras had originally wanted Reis to stay until the end of the season and play for them in the Club World Cup, but City are insisting he link up with them straight away.
The Brazilian Serie A runners-up recently produced Real Madrid’s Endrick and future Chelsea player Estevao Willian and are proving to be one of South America’s top talent hotspots.
With a deal expected to be completed for Reis, the youngster has two other new teammates, the first of which is Omar Marmoush.
The Pitch Prospect understands City and Eintracht Frankfurt are confident a £60million deal will be completed this week for a player in stunning form.
In 25 games this season, the 25-year-old Egyptian striker has an excellent record of 19 goals and 11 assists.
That takes Guardiola’s winter spending to £90m and Abdukodir Khusanov, who arrives from Lens for £33m, is likely to pass the £120m mark.
The Pitch Prospect understands City have reached an agreement with the French club for one of Ligue 1’s standout defenders.
The 20-year-old will undergo a medical and become the Premier League’s first player from Uzbekistan, with City snapping up a talent who has attracted interest from Tottenham.
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The combined £123m of the three players’ fees will make City’s January window one of the most expensive in football history, but still a far cry from record holders Chelsea, who spent £277m at the start of 2023.
However, Guardiola will argue that the mini-rebuild is an absolute necessity given his side’s first half of the season.
The reigning four-time successive champions are currently sixth in the table, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, while their Champions League future is in jeopardy as they sit 22nd in the league stage and only the top 24 advance to the knockout stages. pull in o. round.
Their legendary coach will hope to have better luck than in the summer window, as Savinho has not fully fulfilled his promise since his arrival and Ilkay Gundogan has failed to make a difference after returning from Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Argentine World Cup winner Julian Alvarez moved to Atletico Madrid and City are sorely missing him as an attacking option, a gap they are looking to fill with Marmoush.
It’s also looking increasingly likely that there will be another major departure in January, with the stalwart Kyle Walker expressing his desire to leave.
The England regular has ruled out an expensive move to the Saudi Pro League, with European giants AC Milan his preferred destination.