Manchester City have completed a deal for Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, who could be worth £33.5m plus add-ons.
Khusanov has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract, with an option for another year.
Lens boss Will Still said: 'We know negotiations are ongoing, things are in flux.
'He's sick. He was at the gym today, but he went home. [But] After that we won't lie to each other anymore.'
Khusanov will become the first player from Uzbekistan to play in the top flight when he completes his move.
City are expected to make further proposals for Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis, 18, and Eintracht Frankurt striker Omar Marmoush this weekend.
Mail Sport previously reported that City plan to add two or three signings in this window to revitalize Pep Guardiola's squad and increase competition after a difficult first half of the season.
Khusanov started his career at Energetik-BGU in Belarus but has become a key player for Lens since joining in 2023.
That year he made it into the rankings of the 200 most promising youngsters in football, being rated as the 15th most exciting centre-back.
Lens have the second-best defensive record in Ligue 1 this season, with 15 goals in 16 games, just one more than Paris Saint-Germain. Khusanov helped keep seven clean sheets.
The 20-year-old, who has Champions League experience and played 18 caps for Uzbekistan, had also attracted the attention of Tottenham and Newcastle.
Mail Sport reported on Thursday that Man City were in discussions to sign Omar Marmoush from Eintracht Frankfurt for around £50 million.
Frankfurt are a reluctant seller, especially in the winter window, and had hoped to keep the 25-year-old, who has scored 18 goals in 24 games this season.
Liverpool and Arsenal are also tracking Marmoush but have not followed through on their interest and City are willing to pay around £50 million for a player who can play on the front line or behind the striker.
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