Real Madrid were thinking of signing £34m player but Manchester City ruined their plans

Real Madrid were thinking of signing £34m player but Manchester City ruined their plans. The January transfer window was a crucial period in Man City’s season. The 2024/25 campaign has been an underwhelming one for the Manchester club as Pep Guardiola’s side have gone from winning four Premier League titles in a row to fighting for a place in next season’s Champions League with two games remaining.

Team standings show Arsenal at second position with 68 points from 36 matches with 18 wins 14 draws and 4 losses. Newcastle sits at third position with 66 points from 36 matches with 20 wins 6 draws and 10 losses. Man City is at fourth position with 65 points from 36 matches with 19 wins 8 draws and 9 losses. Chelsea is at fifth position with 63 points from 36 matches with 18 wins 9 draws and 9 losses. Aston Villa is at sixth position with 63 points from 36 matches with 18 wins 9 draws and 9 losses.

The season will be salvaged if they can achieve this in addition to winning the FA Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup with the January transfer window playing a key role in this. Guardiola has been impressed with how Omar Marmoush has settled at Man City while the Spaniard also saw Nico Gonzalez Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis join his squad. Real Madrid wanted two of these stars having tracked them for some time and moving to Manchester has now ruined the La Liga club’s long-term plans. Real Madrid were tracking Abdukodir Khusanov. It has been a tough start to life for Khusanov at Man City as the youngster was thrown into the deep end very quickly after signing for the Manchester club against Chelsea a contest in which the 21-year-old made a huge mistake. This showed how desperate Guardiola was for defensive reinforcements in January which is why City completed the £33.5m signing of the centre-back beating Real Madrid to his signature. According to The Athletic Khusanov and Reis were being tracked by the La Liga giants before they made the switch to Man City as the duo were likely viewed as a long-term centre-back pairing at the Bernabeu. This shows how highly-rated Khusanov is and behind the scenes Man City have high hopes for the young defender. Despite his difficult start in Manchester Roy Keane believes Khusanov will be fine at Man City once he settles in more and learns English. Fans of City have not seen the 21-year-old for several weeks and the reason for this was recently explained.

What is happening with Abdukodir Khusanov at Man City. Khusanov has featured for Man City nine times since joining Guardiola’s squad at the start of the year however the youngster has not featured in any of the Manchester club’s last seven Premier League games which had fans asking questions. There are several reasons for this with it recently being revealed that Khusanov hadn’t trained for a whole month before moving to the Etihad Stadium due to a winter break in France and then not being with Will Still’s group as a transfer to Man City edged closer. Competition statistics show Khusanov played 6 Premier League games with 0 goals and 0 assists totaling 504 minutes. In FA Cup he played 2 games scoring 1 goal with 0 assists for 90 minutes. In Champions League he played 1 game with 0 goals and 0 assists for 90 minutes.

In addition to this Nico O’Reilly’s emergence at left back and Josko Gvardiol forming a strong partnership with Ruben Dias has resulted in Guardiola sticking with a back four that he is comfortable with which in turn has affected Khusanov’s minutes. The defender continues to settle into Guardiola’s way of doing things while the youngster is still working on learning English ahead of next season. Khusanov is undoubtedly a top player but when it comes to the young centre-back Man City fans will need to have a little bit of patience. The news about Real Madrid’s interest in two of Manchester City’s January signings highlights the strategic importance of the transfer window for both clubs. It shows Pep Guardiola’s forward thinking in securing these talented players despite City’s challenging season.

While Abdukodir Khusanov has faced initial difficulties since his arrival his potential remains evident with Roy Keane expressing confidence in his future at the club once language barriers are overcome. The fact that Real Madrid were tracking both Khusanov and Reis demonstrates the quality of players that City have acquired. Guardiola’s decision to bring these players in during January shows his commitment to strengthening the squad even during a relatively disappointing campaign by their recent standards. The £33.5m fee for Khusanov represents a significant investment and beating Real Madrid to his signature is considered a coup for the Manchester club. Despite being in an unusual position of fighting for Champions League qualification rather than the title City’s management continues to plan for long-term success with these strategic signings. The current league standings show how tight the race for Champions League places has become with City only two points ahead of both Chelsea and Aston Villa. Arsenal and Newcastle have moved ahead of the defending champions in what has been an unpredictable Premier League season. While Khusanov has not featured recently the reasons appear to be related to adaptation rather than quality concerns. His lack of training before joining the club coupled with language barriers and the emergence of other defensive options have limited his playing time. The statistics show he has made nine appearances across all competitions which is reasonable for a January signing still adjusting to English football.

City fans will need to be patient as he continues to develop and adapt to Guardiola’s system. The manager clearly has faith in the young defender’s abilities despite the early setback against Chelsea. Omar Marmoush’s successful adaptation has been a bright spot for City during this transition period. The addition of Nico Gonzalez has also strengthened Guardiola’s options in midfield. The signing of Vitor Reis alongside Khusanov demonstrates City’s commitment to building a strong defensive foundation for the future. Real Madrid’s interest in these players validates City’s scouting network and transfer strategy. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were reportedly viewing Khusanov and Reis as a potential long-term defensive partnership which speaks volumes about their quality. City’s ability to secure these talents despite interest from one of the world’s biggest clubs shows their continued pulling power in the transfer market even during a challenging season. The importance of Champions League qualification cannot be overstated for City’s financial model and attractiveness to future signings. With two games remaining securing a top-four finish will be crucial alongside their pursuits in the FA Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. These competitions represent opportunities to salvage something from a season that has fallen short of the club’s recent high standards.

Despite the relative disappointment of their league campaign City’s willingness to invest significantly in January shows the club’s ambition remains undimmed. The fact that these signings were made with an eye on the future rather than as quick fixes demonstrates the long-term planning at the Etihad. Guardiola’s management of young talent has been a feature of his career and Khusanov represents another opportunity for him to develop a promising defender. The Spaniard’s track record suggests patience will be rewarded as the young center-back adapts to English football and the specific demands of playing in a Guardiola system.

Real Madrid’s interest in City’s signings also highlights the competitive nature of modern football recruitment where the top clubs are often targeting the same emerging talents. City’s success in securing these players represents an off-field victory that could have on-field benefits for years to come. Khusanov’s difficulties are not unusual for young defenders adapting to the Premier League particularly those coming from different football cultures. The physical demands and intensity of English football often require an adjustment period. His mistake against Chelsea showed the risks of introducing players too quickly but also demonstrated Guardiola’s faith in his abilities. The manager’s willingness to put him straight into action suggests he sees significant potential in the 21-year-old. Roy Keane’s endorsement is particularly noteworthy given his demanding standards as a pundit. His belief that Khusanov will flourish once settled suggests the defender has the fundamental qualities needed to succeed at the highest level.

City’s current defensive setup with Gvardiol and Dias forming a strong partnership provides time for Khusanov to develop without immediate pressure. This could benefit his long-term development at the club. The emergence of Nico O’Reilly at left back has been another positive development for City providing additional defensive options. This internal competition for places is healthy for the squad even if it temporarily limits opportunities for new signings. The revelation that Khusanov hadn’t trained for a month before joining City explains some of his initial struggles. Getting up to speed with the physical demands of the Premier League requires optimal fitness levels. His goal in the FA Cup shows he can contribute offensively when given the opportunity a valuable trait for modern defenders. City’s investment in young defenders like Khusanov and Reis represents a shift towards building the next generation of the team as some experienced players approach the latter stages of their careers. The club’s willingness to invest £33.5m in Khusanov despite his relative inexperience shows their conviction in his potential.

The competition between Europe’s elite clubs for emerging talent has intensified in recent years with City and Real Madrid often targeting similar profiles. In this instance City’s ability to secure their targets represents a significant achievement for their recruitment team. Guardiola’s contract situation remains a topic of interest for City fans with his future plans potentially influencing transfer strategy. His continued willingness to invest in young talent suggests a commitment to the club’s long-term future. The current league position represents unfamiliar territory for City after years of dominance but the January signings show a determination to address weaknesses in the squad. The fact that these signings were made with both immediate and future considerations in mind demonstrates the balanced approach to recruitment at the Etihad. City’s ability to beat Real Madrid to these signings despite their relatively disappointing season shows the club’s continued appeal to young players. The project at the Etihad remains attractive even during a transitional period.

Khusanov’s development will be closely monitored by City fans eager to see if he can fulfill the potential that attracted interest from both Manchester and Madrid. His progress in learning English will be crucial for his integration into both the team and Guardiola’s complex tactical system. The reported interest from Real Madrid adds additional context to these signings highlighting their significance beyond merely strengthening City’s squad. It represents a transfer market victory over a direct European rival. The Athletic’s reporting on Madrid’s interest in both Khusanov and Reis as a potential center-back pairing shows how highly regarded these players are within football’s inner circles. City’s decision to invest heavily in these players despite their league struggles demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement regardless of short-term results. The club’s willingness to take a long-term view with these signings should reassure fans concerned about the current campaign. Khusanov’s nine appearances since January represent a reasonable introduction to English football for a young defender still adapting to a new country and playing style.

His continued development will be fascinating to watch particularly as he becomes more comfortable with the language and Guardiola’s demands. The potential partnership between Khusanov and Reis that apparently interested Real Madrid could eventually become a reality at Manchester City instead providing a foundation for future success. City’s transfer strategy appears focused on identifying and securing the best young talent available rather than making short-term fixes. This approach has served them well in recent years contributing to their period of domestic dominance. Guardiola’s track record of developing young defenders suggests Khusanov is in good hands despite his initial difficulties. The Spaniard’s attention to detail and tactical knowledge provide an ideal environment for defensive talent to flourish. The revelation about Khusanov’s lack of training before joining City provides important context for fans assessing his performances. Physical conditioning is crucial in the Premier League and this disadvantage would naturally affect his initial adaptation. City’s current league position highlights the competitive nature of the Premier League with Arsenal Newcastle Chelsea and Aston Villa all providing strong challenges this season. The tight points gap between these teams makes every remaining game crucial in the battle for Champions League qualification.

Securing a place in next season’s Champions League remains vital for City both financially and in terms of attracting and retaining top talent. The club’s January investment shows a determination to ensure this objective is achieved. While the league campaign has been disappointing by recent standards the potential to win both the FA Cup and FIFA Club World Cup would provide significant consolation. These trophy opportunities alongside Champions League qualification would represent a solid if not spectacular season. Khusanov’s single goal contribution in the FA Cup shows he can offer something in attacking phases a valuable attribute in modern football where defenders are expected to contribute throughout the pitch. His continued integration into English football and Guardiola’s system will be an interesting subplot for City fans to follow into next season. The parallels between Khusanov’s situation and previous defenders who took time to adapt to Guardiola’s methods suggest patience will likely be rewarded. The manager has a history of successfully developing central defenders who initially struggled to adapt. City’s ability to secure both Khusanov and Reis despite Madrid’s interest demonstrates their current standing in world football. Even during a relatively disappointing campaign they remain an attractive destination for elite young talent. The future defensive partnership that Madrid envisioned could instead become a cornerstone of City’s team in the coming years providing a foundation for continued success under Guardiola or his eventual successor.