Man City expect to complete £33m signing of wonderkid centre-back this week… and he could be the first of many as Pep Guardiola looks to revive champions’ faltering season

Manchester City are expected to finalise the £33million signing of Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov this week as Pep Guardiola bolsters his back line.

Khusanov, the 20-year-old Uzbekistan international, missed Sunday’s victory at Le Havre as City worked on wrapping up the move.

The central defender, who has agreed a four-and-a-half year contract, needs to undergo a medical and source a work permit before officially being confirmed as Guardiola’s first new arrival of a busy January window.

Mail Sport reported last month that the Premier League champions were hopeful of landing three or four new recruits in all areas of a squad grappling with a constant injury crisis.

Although only moving to Lens from Energetik-BGU in Belarus for under £100,000 last year, Khusanov is seen as somebody who can step up and impact City’s season.

City continue negotiations with Palmeiras over teenage centre back Vitor Reis, while also holding positive talks with Frankfurt surrounding a move for striker Omar Marmoush.

The Uzbekistan international (pictured in December) missed Sunday’s victory at Le Havre

Pep Guardiola is keen to bolster Manchester City’s back line after a torrid start to the campaign

Mail Sport revealed last month that Marmoush had emerged as a target in the forward areas and the 25-year-old can operate anywhere across the front three or as a foil for top scorer Erling Haaland.

Frankfurt, nine points behind Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich, are thought to be holding out for around £67m to allow the Egyptian to leave mid-season.

Meanwhile, Real Valladolid’s Jumah Bah remains a deal that City are working on and captain Kyle Walker is set to depart – with AC Milan favourites to land the right back after AC adviser Zlatan Ibrahimovic drove the interest last week.