Who is Manchester City-linked Abdukodir Khusanov? | OneFootball

Manchester City have reportedly agreed a deal for the signing of Abdukodir Khusanov – here is everything you need to know about him.

He spent his youth in the capital of his native Uzbekistan playing for FC Bunyodkor in Tashkent, a team that gained notoriety in 2008 for signing Rivaldo and hiring Zico as manager. A country not traditionally known for its football, Khusanov left at the age of 18 for Belarus and FC Energetik-BGU Minsk.

The Uzbek spent the next 16 months in Belarus, beginning to garner some attention as a future prospect due to his tender age. He made 35 appearances for Energetik-BGU, and even managed to net four goals from centre-back.

At the age of 19 the defender was on the move again, this time to French top flight side RC Lens. Khusanov has developed further at Lens, making 24 Ligue 1 appearances as well as a couple of appearances in both the Champions League and the Europa League. He also featured in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, though Uzbekistan failed to advance from the group stage.

Contract Status

Khusanov’s contract does not expire until the summer of 2027, although Lens would be happy to cash in on him now. The French side signed him for only €100,000 just 18 months ago and now look set to make a massive profit on the centre-back, with their asking price reportedly set at €40 million. Should Lens’ asking price be met, it would make the young defender the most expensive Uzbek player ever, more than doubling the current record.

Style of play

Khusanov is a combative defender and although primarily a centre-back he can fill in at right-back too, a positional flexibility that surely appeals to Pep Guardiola and is shared with many of his players. Unsurprisingly given the links with Guardiola’s side, the right-footed defender is comfortable on the ball and calm under pressure. Despite his age, physicality is a major strength of the 20-year-old. He is fast and strong, and uses that to his advantage as he is aggressive in his defensive work. Although he is not the finished product, the Uzbek is regarded as a top talent by various clubs.

Who is interested?

City are now on the verge of confirming the signing of Khusanov but a number of huge clubs are believed to be admirers. In recent weeks he has been linked with all of Tottenham, Liverpool, Newcastle, PSG, and Real Madrid.

What’s been said?

Lens have the second best defence in Ligue 1, conceding just 15 goals in their 16 games so far this season. Khusanov has been a key part of that defence but, according to L’Equipe, his manager Will Still admits “We’re not going to lie to ourselves. We know that negotiations are underway and that things are moving.”

Did you know?

Should Khusanov’s transfer to City go through, he will become the first Uzbek to ever play in the Premier League. He has already faced Premier League opposition on one occasion in his career though, coming off the bench at the Emirates last season when Lens were defeated 6-0 by Arsenal.