Manchester City schedule medical tests for first January transfer deal on Friday | OneFootball

A medical has now been scheduled for Manchester City’s first signing of the ongoing January transfer window, according to new reports.

Txiki Begiristain and his transfer colleagues continue to work hard on new faces to bring into Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad this month as part of an intended rebuild of the reigning Premier League champions’ roster across 2025.

January’s window will likely see up to four new names enter the fray at Manchester City, including two central defenders and a new forward to add to the threat of Erling Haaland, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush eyed up for the privilege.

And while Vitor Reis of Palmeiras is en route to the UK as we speak, following an agreement between Palmeiras and Manchester City over a deal for the 19-year-old, an ending is now in sight that could beat the Brazilian to the title of becoming the club’s first signing this month.

That concerns Abdukodir Khusanov, whom Etihad Stadium bosses finalised an agreement for towards the end of last week, having made the Lens central defender their number one priority earlier this month given the French club’s need to raise funds immediately.

Now, according to the information of The Mirror’s Ryan Taylor, plans are taking shape for Khusanov to undergo his Manchester City medical tests on Friday ahead of a €40 million transfer from Lens that will also include bonuses.

It is reaffirmed that all relevant paperwork has been exchanged and signed by both clubs involved, but the 20-year-old has been awaiting approval of a work permit before he can formally complete his move to the Etihad Stadium.

Elsewhere, it is pointed out that both Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid had shown tentative interest in the Uzbekistan international but ultimately decided against a move, while the player had his heart set on joining City after Pep Guardiola personally approved his arrival.

Khusanov has recently been suffering from sickness that forced him to withdraw from his final few training sessions alongside his Lens teammates, but is now ready to formally complete his ‘dream switch’ to Premier League football, according to the report.

Pep Guardiola has been quizzed twice in two different press conferences on the subject of Khusanov after all major and reliable news outlets have confirmed a fee having been agreed between Manchester City and Lens.

However, speaking prior to the club’s eventual 2-2 draw with Brentford, Guardiola said of the reports, “The club didn’t announce anything,” before following up with, “Nothing to say,” when quizzed on a similar subject after the encounter at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Should Abdukodir Khusanov be announced and confirmed as a Manchester City player by the weekend, it may still be too soon for the young defender to have any involvement in the club’s Premier League encounter against Ipswich Town on Sunday afternoon.