According to The Pitch Prospect, Manchester City have made contact with Lens about a move for defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
Uzbekistan international Khusanov, who was also shortlisted by Tottenham, is valued at over £30m by the French club.
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The 20-year-old central defender only has one full season of experience in Europe’s major leagues, having moved to Ligue 1 from Belarusian side Energetik-BGU in 2023.
Lens are currently sixth in the French top flight and have conceded the second fewest goals in the league.
City need reinforcements after an injury-related and disappointing start to the season.
Regular starters John Stones and Nathan Ake have each started 12 games in all competitions with Pep Guardiola’s former key player in a period of dominance at the Etihad.
Their run of four straight Premier League titles looks set to end this season, with City a full 12 points behind league leaders Liverpool, who still have a game in hand.
Everything came to a head in September when Ballon d’Or winner Rodri suffered a season-ending knee injury.
And during a terrible run-up to Christmas, Guardiola insisted things wouldn’t get better until he had his best players back.
When asked about possible transfer business in January, he said: “I want my players back – the players we have.”
“I want to have the team we had at the start of the season which was desperately competitive.
“That’s the only regret I have, not having these players – not having new ones.”
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“At the right moment we will see. The transfer market has shown over the last four or five years how expensive players are. I’m sorry, we’re not the best in this regard.”
“If we need players, we go to the transfer market, but I don’t know who is there.”
As well as Khusanov, City have also been linked with Eintracht Frankfurt striker Omar Marmoush, who has made a stunning start to the season.
However, The Pitch Prospect understands a deal would cost £50m.
Should Khusanov move, the defender would be the first Uzbek player to play in the Premier League.