Man City set to make shock signing after player spotted at the Etihad during Chelsea clash

Manchester City are closing in on a shock signing after one of their transfer targets was spotted at the Etihad Stadium during their Premier League clash against Chelsea.

Pep Guardiola handed debuts to two January signings, with Abdukodir Khusanov and Omar Marmoush both starting.

Khusanov - the first player from Uzbekistan to play in the English top flight - made a nightmare error just two minutes into his debut which led to Noni Madueke opening the scoring.

Marmoush was involved in a more positive fashion at the other end of the pitch, and City were level before half-time through Josko Gvardiol.

During the first half, TV cameras picked up one of City's main transfer targets in the stands at the Etihad Stadium.

Norwegian midfielder Sverre Halseth Nypan was spotted in attendance at the Etihad Stadium, with Fabrizio Romano reporting that, although no concrete decision has yet been made, City are presenting their 'project' to the midfielder after he arrived in the city on Friday.

That project is said to involve a potential loan move to La Liga side Girona, who are part owned by the City Football Group.

In August, UEFA ruled that the two clubs could not transfer players between each other until September 2025 due to their participation in this season's Champions League, although it is unclear as to whether this ruling affects loan dealings.

Sverre Halseth Nypan in action for Norway U21 (Image: Getty)

But City could yet face late pressure to get a deal for Nypan over the line.

David Ornstein reported on Friday that Arsenal were in 'advanced' talks to sign the 18-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for Rosenborg.

Romano has added that an unnamed third club is in the running to sign the Norway youth international, who has previously admitted that he is a fan of Manchester United.

United were believed to be interested in signing Nypan after facing him in a pre-season friendly last summer, but they have not been linked with a move under new boss Ruben Amorim since the January transfer window opened.