Manchester City have reportedly entered the race to sign Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, competing with Premier League rivals Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
Khusanov is only 20 years old, but has already played 18 games for the national team of Uzbekistan. The latest unknown talent to be snapped up by Lens' extensive scouting system, the right-footed defender moved to the French outfit in the summer of 2023.
After being eased into the setup under Franck Haise last term, Khusanov has become part of the Lens backline since Highly rated English coach Will Still took over in the summer.
Comfortable at the back with three or four players, the Uzbek prodigy has attracted interest from a trio of English Premier League clubs. Reigning Premier League Champions Manchester City have added Khusanov to their January wishlist Fabrizio Romano.
City will have to compete Newcastle AND Tottenham to secure the 20-year-old's prized signature, as the two Premier League clubs are understood to have opened discussions with Khusanov. As Romano signed his report: “The race is open.”
While Newcastle have an established centre-back partnership that is aging, the defensive corps at Spurs and City have been plagued by injuries this season. Ange Postecoglou was forced to field a half-form Radu Dragusin after one wave of shortages left him without a single senior quarterback last month.
Pep Guardiola's formidable champions have been plagued by so many physical issues, the Catalan coach made one public plea for reinforcements in January. “I thought the centre-backs would be fit all season but we have struggled – to hold the midfield and the centre-backs we need help,” lamented the City boss at the end of the year.
“The market is the market – it's not easy, it's expensive so we'll see what the club can do.”