First Uzbekistan Player in Premier League History
Manchester City have agreed a €40m (£33.6m) deal, including bonuses, with Lens for central defender Abdukodir Khusanov, marking a historic move as Khusanov will become the first Uzbekistan player to join a Premier League club.
The transfer is subject to a medical before being finalized.
City’s January Reinforcements
Pep Guardiola has prioritized strengthening his squad during the January transfer window after a challenging first half of the season that has left the reigning champions sixth in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.
- Khusanov’s Background:
- Signed by Lens from Energetik-BGU (Belarus) for just €100,000 (£84,000) 18 months ago.
- The 23-year-old has made 13 Ligue 1 appearances this season and has 18 caps for Uzbekistan.
- Scored his first goal for Lens in a French Cup tie against Paris St-Germain on 22 December.
Other Transfer Targets
City are also pursuing other options to bolster their squad:
- Vitor Reis: The club is negotiating with Palmeiras for the highly-rated 18-year-old Brazilian defender.
- Omar Marmoush: The 25-year-old Egyptian forward, currently playing for Eintracht Frankfurt, has caught Guardiola’s attention with his strong performances this season.
City’s Defensive Crisis
Khusanov’s signing highlights Guardiola’s urgent need to address City’s defensive struggles:
- Ruben Dias: Sidelined since the Manchester United derby defeat on 15 December.
- John Stones: Also unavailable for the upcoming FA Cup tie against Salford City.
- Nathan Ake: Missed significant portions of the season due to recurring injuries.
City’s injury woes have left their backline vulnerable, contributing to their inconsistent league performances.
Welcome Boost for City
Despite their defensive struggles, City received a boost with the return of Oscar Bobb to training after the 21-year-old Norwegian spent five months recovering from a fractured leg.
Guardiola’s Determination to Reverse Fortunes
Khusanov will be City’s first significant January signing since Aymeric Laporte’s arrival in 2018, underlining Guardiola’s intent to revitalize his squad and regain momentum.
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