Revealed: The possible shirt numbers for imminent Manchester City signing Abdukodir Khusanov | OneFootball

Manchester City are on the verge of bringing in one of Europe’s best centre-back talents, but what shirt numbers could be available to Abdukodir Khusanov upon moving in to the Etihad Stadium?

The Premier League champions have moved swiftly to ensure that Pep Guardiola’s options in defence will be strengthened for the second-half of the season, having endured a multitude of problems that have led to a downward trend in performances this campaign.

At one stage of the first-half of the season, Manchester City were forced to compete without any of their mainstay central defenders, although that led to an opening in their first-team squad for Academy talent, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey.

The signing of Khusanov is part of the club’s wider plan to rebuild their first-team playing squad over the course of the ongoing and next transfer markets, as Txiki Begiristain – alongside input from Hugo Viana – works on the next phase of the club before his exit.

The Lens star will become the first Uzbekistan international to feature in the Premier League too, after Manchester City took an admiration in his development and talents in French football, subsequently sanctioning a €40 million spend on the player.

And as medical testing and various media duties away, supporters are also wondering what shirt number the player could select upon his arrival at the Etihad Stadium, with a debut for the club tipped for as soon as next week.

A range of different squad numbers are available to Abdukodir Khusanov, although his number 5 jersey worn at Lens is currently occupied at Manchester City, with John Stones holding the number since his arrival in 2017.

There is not much luck either when it comes to Khusanov’s shirt number that Lens from earlier this season, with Manuel Akanji occupying the 25 shirt since his arrival from Borussia Dortmund at the end of the 2022 summer transfer window.

The number 3 shirt, worn by Abdukodir Khusanov during his brief stint with RC Lens’ B team is also occupied and has been since Ruben Dias was signed by Manchester City from Benfica during the 2020/21 season.

In fact, the last number to be worn by the 20-year-old Uzbek defender that remains available within the Manchester City squad is 45, which was donned by Khusanov during his time playing at Energetik-BGU Minsk.

The 45 shirt will no doubt bring about fond memories for all Manchester City fans, after it was worn by the iconic Italian striker Mario Balotelli during his time at the Etihad Stadium under Roberto Mancini.

Squad numbers 12, 13, 14, 15 are all available, as well as 21 and 22, and 34 through to 46.

The number 23 shirt number was retired by Manchester City in 2003 as a mark of respect to the late midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe.