Manchester City have finalized a €40m (£33.6m) deal to sign central defender Abdukodir Khusanov from French club Lens. The agreement includes additional performance-based bonuses, and the 23-year-old Uzbekistan international is expected to undergo a medical before the transfer is confirmed.
This signing marks an important step for City manager Pep Guardiola, who is keen to bolster his squad following a challenging start to the season. The defending Premier League champions have struggled with form, slipping to sixth place in the table and trailing leaders Liverpool by 12 points.
Khusanov’s arrival will make him the first Uzbekistan player to join a Premier League club and Manchester City’s first major January signing since Aymeric Laporte’s arrival in 2018. The move highlights Guardiola’s determination to address City’s defensive issues, which have been exacerbated by a series of injuries to key players.
Injury Woes for Manchester City
City’s defensive problems have been a major setback this season. Ruben Dias has been sidelined since December 15 after the derby defeat to Manchester United and will miss the FA Cup third-round match against Salford City. England international John Stones is also unavailable, while Nathan Ake has endured two extended injury absences this campaign.
Khusanov’s signing aims to provide much-needed stability at the back. Lens acquired Khusanov for just €100,000 (£84,000) from Belarusian side Energetik-BGU 18 months ago. The defender has since developed rapidly, making 13 Ligue 1 appearances this season and earning 18 caps for Uzbekistan. Notably, he scored his first goal for Lens in a French Cup match against Paris Saint-Germain on December 22.
Additional Transfer Pursuits
Beyond Khusanov, Manchester City are actively pursuing other targets. Negotiations are ongoing with Palmeiras for 18-year-old Brazilian defender Vitor Reis, though Palmeiras’ president has dismissed claims of an imminent sale. City are also monitoring Egypt international Omar Marmoush, whose standout performances for Eintracht Frankfurt have attracted significant attention.
Meanwhile, the club received positive news as Norwegian forward Oscar Bobb returned to training after a five-month absence due to a fractured leg. His recovery offers a potential boost for Guardiola as City look to regain their footing in both domestic and European competitions.
Khusanov’s signing underscores Guardiola’s commitment to reversing the team’s fortunes and reasserting their dominance in the Premier League.