David Ornstein provides update on Manchester City’s transfer pursuit of Abdukodir Khusanov | OneFootball

Manchester City have been offered Abdukodir Khusanov by super-agent Jorge Mendes, a new report has revealed as part of an update surrounding the defender’s future.

The Premier League champions have been linked with a move for the Uzbek defender since the reopening of the transfer market at the turn of the year, but face competition from a number of Europe’s most prominent clubs.

From within the Premier League, the belief is that both Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur have taken a liking to the player’s performances in France, but face complications when it comes to potentially financing a proposal to Lens.

Elsewhere and Real Madrid were also linked with interest in the 20-year-old by French media outlets earlier this week, but it remains to be seen whether their proposal to the player and his camp exceeds what it is on offer from Manchester City.

For now, it appears to be somewhat of a waiting game as City continue to conversations and negotiations with a number of players involved in the deal, and the latest reliable update on the situation was delivered on Tuesday morning.

According to the information of The Athletic’s David Ornstein with further detail from Pol Ballus, City are currently exploring a deal for Lens’ Abdukodir Khusanov, with both Newcastle and Tottenham aware of his talent and availability.

From the side of the Ligue 1 side, it is reported that Lens are looking to do a deal for the player in excess of €40 million, largely ruling out the other two Premier League suitors aside from Manchester City.

It is further detailed that super-agent Jorge Mendes has a mandate to deliver Khusanov’s sale in the ongoing transfer window and will be working to secure Lens the best possible fee, and the player has been offered to the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City have been facing problems in their central defensive ranks throughout the course of the ongoing season, and it is injuries and fitness issues in that department that manager Pep Guardiola has largely credited for their drop in performance standards.

During the early stages of a run that saw Manchester City record just one win in 13 matches across all competitions, there was a period when Guardiola was without all of his mainstay central defenders due to injuries.

As such, that saw the emergence of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey from the club’s Academy system, with the teenager going on to showcase an excellent passing range and composure on the ball, despite being part of a defensive unit that shipped a number of goals in losing results.