Abdukodir Khusanov Joins Man City in €40m Move from Lens

Abdukodir Khusanov has agreed to a €40m (£33.6m) transfer from French club Lens to Manchester City for central defense. Sources suggest the deal includes additional bonus payments and Khusanov is set to undergo a medical before the transfer is officially confirmed. Manager Pep Guardiola aims to bolster his squad following a challenging period during which City slipped to sixth in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Khusanov’s transfer will make him the first Uzbek player to join a Premier League club. He will also be City’s first major signing of January since Aymeric Laporte’s arrival in 2018. Guardiola’s push for new signings shows his determination to reverse City’s fortunes and address a series of defensive injuries. Ruben Dias has been sidelined since mid-December while John Stones and Nathan Ake are also unavailable due to injuries.

In addition to Abdukodir Khusanov, City are in talks with Brazilian side Palmeiras for 18-year-old defender Vitor Reis. However, the club’s president has denied rumors that they are looking to sell him. Guardiola is also reportedly interested in Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush, who has impressed this season with Eintracht Frankfurt. Khusanov, whom Lens acquired for just €100,000 from Belarusian club Energetik-BGU 18 months ago has rapidly developed.

He has made 13 appearances in Ligue 1 this season and earned 18 caps for Uzbekistan. His most recent goal came in a French Cup match against Paris Saint-Germain in December. City have also received positive news with the return of Oscar Bobb to training after a five-month recovery from a fractured leg which provides further depth to the squad.