Tottenham have missed out on RC Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov to Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur have been looking to bring in a new central defender in this transfer window after enduring an injury crisis this season.
Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Ben Davies have been on the sidelines for more than a month now, forcing Ange Postecoglou to utilize 18-year-old midfielder Archie Gray as a makeshift centre-back. The Lilywhites have conceded more Premier League goals than 16th-placed Everton this season, having been breached on 30 occasions in 20 encounters, which has led to the Australian tactician being determined to land a centre-back.
Spurs have been subject to aggressive links with RC Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov. The Uzbekistan international has established himself as one of the most promising defensive prospects in Ligue 1 over the last 12-15 months, becoming a mainstay at the back for RC Lens in the process.
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Tottenham have extensively scouted Abdukodir Khusanov this season; however, they are not the only club interested in his signatures. Manchester City and Newcastle United from the Premier League have been monitoring the youngster, who continues to grow in stature. But it now appears Man City have won the race for the Lens starlet’s signature.
According to a report from ESPN, the Sky Blues have reached an agreement with Lens for the transfer of Khusanov. They are on the brink of sealing a deal worth more than £40 million for the Tashkent-born talent, whose medical could take place over the weekend before an official announcement.
This will come as a massive blow for Spurs given how Khusanov’s potential acquisition would have hugely enhanced Big Ange’s defensive roster. It is a setback to the North Londoners’ plans of rebuilding the squad, especially one that has been decimated by injuries this season.
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The highly-rated Uzbekistan defender has showcased his ability and glimpses of potential in Ligue 1 and certainly has the mix of technical skills and physical attributes to flourish in the fast-paced nature of Premier League football. The young gun could have come and slotted in immediately in the Tottenham XI, with Big Ange currently devoid of his first-choice centre-back pairing Romero and Van de Ven.
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Now it’s time for Daniel Levy to consider alternatives, and the club chairman along with technical director Johan Lange should try bringing in a budgetary central defender to boost Big Ange’s defensive unit this month.
