Defensive duo targeted by Manchester City for ‘new and improved’ salary packages | OneFootball

Manchester City are planning to reward two of their most improved performers this season with new and improved contracts, as per reports.

Matheus Nunes has been one of the Blues’ most consistent performers in 2025-26, operating as first-choice right-back under Pep Guardiola despite being a natural midfielder. The Portugal international has made over 30 appearances in all competitions this term, having recently spoken glowingly about his time at the club after reaching the 100-appearance milestone.

Abdukodir Khusanov, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the most exciting young defenders in the Premier League since joining from Lens in January 2025, catching the eye with a string of assured displays in central defence that have prompted widespread praise from assistant manager Pep Lijnders in recent weeks.

The Uzbekistan international has become a firm fans’ favourite at the Etihad Stadium, with his coming-of-age display against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League earlier this season widely regarded as one of the individual performances of Manchester City‘s campaign.

Report: Nunes and Khusanov set for Man City salary hikes

According to The Real Tolmie’s Hairdoo on X, both Nunes and Khusanov are being eyed by Manchester City for ‘new and improved’ salary deals at the Etihad Stadium in the coming weeks.

Nunes is contracted at the Etihad Stadium until the summer of 2028 and Khusanov until 2029, meaning neither player is in immediate danger of running down their deal.

However, City’s move to improve their respective salaries reflects the pair’s growing importance to Guardiola’s squad and director of football Hugo Viana‘s desire to build the club’s long-term future around their most promising assets.

How have Nunes and Khusanov done at Man City?

Nunes joined Manchester City from Wolves for £53 million in the summer of 2023 and has grown into one of the most versatile and reliable players in the squad, with his excellence at right-back throughout this season having effectively rendered the search for a Kyle Walker replacement unnecessary.

Khusanov, brought in as an emergency January signing last year, has gone from relative unknown to one of the first names on Guardiola’s teamsheet in central defence in the space of 15 months – a remarkable rise that City are clearly keen to reward.

The moves come amid a wider backdrop of contract activity at the Etihad Stadium, with City also prioritising renewals for Rodri and Phil Foden as Viana looks to nail down the core of the squad for the seasons ahead.

City are also bracing themselves for a significant summer of departures, making the retention of their key players all the more important as the rebuild continues.