Manchester City are banking on a three-way transfer deal to save their stuttering season.
City endured a dreadful campaign, losing six games in the Premier League and finishing in sixth place, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool. They were also knocked out of the Carabao Cup at the last 16 stage and are at serious risk of not progressing beyond the competitive stages of the Champions League.
Boss Pep Guardiola's team is suffering from a mountain of injury problems, with many of his top players seriously aging this season. City are expected to invest heavily in the January window in a bid to turn around their fortunes.
And Guardiola seems to have already found his first three signings for the winter period. The trio covers the two areas of the pitch where City need reinforcements the most.
In defence, that starts with BBC Sport reporting that City are targeting Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis. City's director of football Txiki Begiristain is adamant that the signings must fit into the club's long-term plan, with Khusanov and Reis ticking that box.
Khusanov is a central defender for French club Lens and the Uzbekistan national team. The 20-year-old was part of the Uzbekistan team that won the Under-20 Asian Cup, which brought him to the attention of clubs in the major European leagues.
If he were to sign for City, he would become the first ever player from his country to play in the Premier League. Meanwhile, Reis has been a key player for Brazilian side Palmeiras and was recently named in the country's Team of the Year.
It is thought he would be available for £33.5 million, although it is not known if this would include some clauses. The final member of the trio is Eintracht Frankfurt star Omar Marmoush.
Marmoush, who would cost around £50 million, is a number 9 who can also operate alongside or as a number 10. The 25-year-old has scored 18 goals in all competitions for Eintracht this season and is seen as a replacement for Julian Alvarez, who City sold in the summer.
City are keen to sign Marmoush this month, although Eintracht head coach Dino Toppmöller does not want to lose his top scorer. But the club's football director has hinted that Marmoush could be available for the right price.
“For us, we don't want to lose so many important players,” said Markus Krosche. “I must honestly say that no Eintracht player is unsellable, but we do want to keep the team together.
“I talk about (Omar) Marmoush after every game. But that's a good thing. Omar gives our game an incredible amount.”
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