Ibrahim Buhari
First reported: 29th May
IF Elfsborg defender Ibrahim Buhari was linked with City by Swedish journalist Anel Avdić, who reported that the Imps, Portsmouth, Cardiff City and Turkish side Kasimpasa had made initial contact over a possible move. The 24-year-old Nigerian centre-back joined Elfsborg from Plateau United in September 2022 and gained experience in the Allsvenskan and Europa League, having previously been called into Nigeria’s senior squad and represented the country at under-23 level. Buhari’s contract was due to expire at the end of the Swedish season, potentially giving Elfsborg an incentive to sell during the summer.
Jez George later revealed that he had watched Mikkel Ladefoged while scouting an unnamed centre-back playing for a Swedish club. The circumstances could point towards Buhari, although George did not identify the player:
“The first time I watched Mikkel play was actually to watch a 25-year-old centre-back from a team in Sweden playing against him.”
In April, Ladefoged scored twice against Elfsborg, while Buhari was on the bench for the visitors. Also, note the timing – this interest came before the club knew about the age limit on ESC slots, making it even more viable.
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