Manchester City have opened talks with RC Lens about the transfer of Abdukodir Khusanov, a 20-year-old Uzbekistan international who has become one of Europe’s most intriguing young defenders. Club officials in Manchester are believed to be prepared to pay over $38 million to land his signature, a figure that underlines how seriously they regard his potential. He left Belarusian club Energetik-BGU in 2023 for a modest fee, and his swift progress at Lens has put him on the radar of several Premier League sides, including Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
Khusanov’s agent, Gairat Khasbiullin, confirmed the defender’s inclination to move. “Abdukodir is a player who has already shown that he is one of the best in his position in Europe,” Khasbiullin said. “He is young and every day he becomes even stronger. He deserves to play in the best clubs in Europe. We have a very good relationship with Lens and we are on the same side, we want the best for the player together.”
Khusanov: A timely defensive solution for City
Manchester City’s back line has looked vulnerable this season. They sit sixth in the Premier League, with key players like John Stones and Rúben Dias missing significant time through injury, and Pep Guardiola openly lamenting, “We have no defense,” after a disheartening derby defeat in December. That shortfall has left academy graduates and makeshift partnerships to shoulder the defensive load. City have also conceded more goals than in their previous title-winning campaigns, fueling urgency to find a long-term solution at center-back.
Khusanov, who has displayed calm distribution and an aggressive style in Ligue 1, would fill a critical need. He can comfortably slot into a high line, and his confidence in possession aligns with Guardiola’s preference for building from the back. Although Tottenham and Newcastle have kept tabs on him, Leeds United’s interest faded when it became clear the young defender was eyeing a higher-tier move. Lens are open to a sizable bid that could fund their own ambitions, while Manchester City see the deal as a calculated gamble.
One remaining question is whether City would keep Khusanov in the squad immediately or loan him out until the summer. Either way, the prospect of being the first Uzbek player in the Premier League makes his signing a historic possibility. If negotiations continue smoothly, Manchester City could finalize one of the most intriguing transfers of the winter, boosting a backline in need of fresh legs and renewed confidence.
