Manchester City make ‘very concrete moves’ to sign €40 million midfielder in January

Despite suggestions in some quarters of a quiet January transfer window at Manchester City, fresh reports have pointed towards a significant arrival at the Etihad Stadium.

The latest rumours concern an arrival in midfield, as reports in England continue to link out-of-favour England international Kalvin Phillips with an exit from Pep Guardiola’s side either on a temporary or permanent agreement in the coming days.

With regards to the former Leeds United midfielder, Serie A giants Juventus and Newcastle United are understood to be the most likely suitors for the player, who is hoping to gain more continuous top-level game time ahead of the European Championships.

As for Manchester City and whether they look to replace Phillips in a challenging market this month, a new report has linked officials from the Premier League champions with a highly-rated name from France.

According to the information of TV Play, as translated and relayed by Sport Witness this week, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has specifically requested that officials within the Etihad Stadium sign the 22-year-old midfielder Khephren Thuram.

It is claimed that Guardiola believes the player has the right profile to further improve his squad, and as such Manchester City have made a ‘very concrete move’ and are aiming to secure the midfielder’s services as early as the upcoming January transfer window.

Thuram will not come cheap, with his current Nice agreement running until 2025, and it is reported that the Ligue 1 side are not ready to offer any discounts on their €40 million valuation on the Frenchman.

While Manchester City are reportedly ready to ‘satisfy’ Nice’s demands, it is further highlighted that Rafaela Pimenta’s involvement with the player – the agent of Erling Haaland – could act as a further boost to the Premier League champions’ pursuit.

At present, Pep Guardiola has leaned towards utilising players out of position when filling in for Rodri during times of rest or suspension, with the likes of Mateo Kovacic, Bernardo Silva, John Stones, and Manuel Akanji all having played the position in recent weeks.

Rico Lewis – whilst also excelling in an advanced midfield role in UEFA Champions League outings – has been an option as a secondary defensive midfielder, and first broke into the first-team squad on a regular basis in that role.

Mahamadou Susoho is the latest midfield name to also make the jump from Manchester City’s academy into the first-team squad, with the teenager having made his senior debut for the club in the UEFA Champions League against Red Star Belgrade last month.