Manchester City Secure £33.6m Deal For Uzbek Defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
Manchester City have clinched a deal with Ligue 1 side Lens to sign central defender Abdukodir Khusanov for a reported fee of 40 million euros (£33.6 million). Sources close to the negotiations have confirmed that the agreement includes additional performance-based bonuses, with the player set to undergo a medical check soon to finalise the transfer.
The move comes at a pivotal moment for City, who are currently navigating through one of their most challenging seasons in recent years. Under Pep Guardiola’s stewardship, the team has slipped to sixth place in the Premier League standings, trailing league leaders Liverpool by 12 points.
Guardiola has been vocal about his intent to bolster the squad, particularly in defence, following a spate of injuries to key players. Ruben Dias, England’s John Stones, and Nathan Ake have all been sidelined at various points this season, significantly impacting the team’s defensive solidity.
Khusanov, a 22-year-old Uzbek international, has quickly made a name for himself in France after joining Lens from Belarusian club Energetik-BGU for just 100,000 euros (£84,000) 18 months ago. His rise has been meteoric, contributing with 13 appearances in Ligue 1 this season and notching his first goal for Lens in a recent French Cup match against Paris St-Germain.
Upon completion of the transfer, Khusanov will make history as the first Uzbekistan player to join an English Premier League club. City fans are hopeful he can replicate the impact made by Aymeric Laporte, who was the last significant January signing by the club in 2018.
In addition to the Khusanov signing, Manchester City are also in discussions with Brazilian club Palmeiras for the young defender Vitor Reis. However, Palmeiras’ president has publicly denied the urgency of any deal, suggesting the negotiations might not be as advanced as reported.
Furthermore, City’s interest in Eintracht Frankfurt’s Egypt forward Omar Marmoush indicates a broader strategy to enhance their attacking options as well.
On a positive note for City supporters, young Norwegian Oscar Bobb has returned to training after a five-month hiatus due to a leg fracture, potentially adding depth to the squad just when it’s most needed.
This transfer window activity underscores Guardiola’s commitment to turning around the team’s fortunes and ensuring they remain competitive on all fronts despite the setbacks.
Stay tuned for further updates as Manchester City look to reinforce their squad in the coming weeks.
