Manchester City have finalised their sixth acquisition of the January transfer window, augmenting their roster with an additional defender.
Pep Guardiola’s team has significantly bolstered its roster during the January transfer window, particularly acquiring Egyptian attacker Omar Marmoush for £59 million from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Manchester City has acquired centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for £33 million and 18-year-old Brazilian defender Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for £29.4 million.
On Monday, Manchester City finalised the acquisition of teenage defender Juma Bah from Real Valladolid, following assertions from the LaLiga club that they had ‘supported and mentored’ the 18-year-old in his absence from training to facilitate the transfer.
The city refutes the charges, while Bah has remitted the £5.1 million minimum release price to end his youth contract and finalise the transfer, with the funds subsequently repaid by the acquiring club.
Bah has been loaned to Lens for the remainder of the season following his transfer to Manchester City.
HISTORY MADE 🗽
18-year-old Christian McFarlane becomes the first New York City FC Homegrown player to have gone through the Club’s entire development pipeline and join a Premier League side. pic.twitter.com/TKF2KCoMcR
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) January 27, 2025
The Premier League club’s hunt of defensive reinforcements has progressed with the acquisition of Christian McFarlane from New York City FC, a member of the City Football Group, marking the fifth addition of the transfer window.
The MLS team announced the sale of McFarlane to Manchester City and will obtain a sell-on percentage should the 18-year-old be transferred again in the future.
McFarlane, a UK native, joined the New York City FC program at the age of 11 in 2018.
He represented all age categories for the club and earned his first-team debut last year.
McFarlane, an England youth international, has participated in 13 matches for New York City FC’s first squad in MLS and Leagues Cup competitions.
“Transitioning to Manchester City represents a significant advancement, and I am appreciative of my inclusion in the City Football Group,” McFarlane stated.
Establishing that connection is crucial, demonstrating to young players that with the appropriate mindset and diligent effort, such opportunities are attainable.
‘This is a realisation of my aspirations, and I am eager for the future.’
2021 ➡️ 2025
What a difference 4 years can make 💙 pic.twitter.com/HIj3rwH9Hb
— New York City FC (@newyorkcityfc) January 27, 2025
New York City FC asserted that McFarlane exhibited ‘indications of exceptional promise’ in their academy and commended the adolescent’s diligence and commitment.
“We are immensely proud to witness Christian achieve this significant milestone in his career,” stated David Lee, sporting director of New York City FC.
He is a player who has progressed through our academy system, further developed with New York City FC II in MLS NEXT Pro, and ultimately secured his position in our first squad.
Christian’s opportunity to advance his career at Manchester City, a club at the zenith of global football, is a credit to his diligence, skill, and commitment.
I eagerly anticipate following his career and observing his performance in Manchester, confident that he will exert maximum effort to attain the best possible level in football.