‎£12.5m Championship star set for Man City return as Leicester City close in on late transfer

Manchester City could still be active on transfer deadline day, with one player potentially leaving and another arriving before the 7pm cut-off.

Pep Guardiola will have been frustrated by his side’s inability to keep pace with Arsenal at the weekend. City were held to a 2-2 draw by Tottenham, allowing the Gunners to stretch their advantage at the top of the table to six points.

Despite that setback, Guardiola is likely to be satisfied with City’s work in the January window so far. The champions secured the arrival of Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth before completing the signing of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace to further strengthen the squad.

As the deadline approaches, though, further movement at the Etihad cannot be ruled out. Current indications suggest there could be at least one departure and one incoming deal before the window shuts.

Man City set to recall Sverre Nypan

City completed the £12.5m signing of highly-rated midfielder Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg last summer, before immediately sending the 19-year-old out on loan to Championship side Middlesbrough. However, the move has not gone entirely to plan.

Nypan has featured 21 times since arriving at the Riverside Stadium but has struggled to nail down a regular starting role, a situation City are understood to be unhappy with. According to the Manchester Evening News, the club have now agreed to cut the loan short, believing the youngster’s development would be better served by training under Guardiola rather than continuing at Middlesbrough.

The Norway youth international will not be eligible for the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle, or the final should City progress. He is also unlikely to be registered for the Champions League, but he will be available for both the Premier League and the FA Cup, meaning he could still feature before the season ends.

Nypan is regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young midfield prospects. While he is capable of operating as an attacking midfielder or even as a false nine, his natural role mirrors that of Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard, making him an intriguing option for Guardiola going forward.

Leicester line up late move for City youngster

With Nypan expected to return to Manchester, another City prospect appears set to head in the opposite direction. Leicester City are reportedly closing in on a late loan deal for 18-year-old attacker Divine Mukasa.

The same Manchester Evening News report claims the Foxes are keen to bring Mukasa in as they battle to pull clear of the relegation zone. Following the recent dismissal of Marti Cifuentes, Leicester are hoping the young forward can inject some attacking spark under interim boss and former club favourite Andy King.

Mukasa has already made six first-team appearances for City this season, registering assists in both the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup. However, it now looks likely he will continue his development with regular Championship football for the remainder of the campaign.

Elsewhere, Fabrizio Romano reports that Everton have booked a medical as they move ahead in the race to sign a Manchester United transfer target.