Madrid and City are keeping a close eye on Uzbek central defender Khusanov, who starred with Lens in the French Ligue 1.
Real Madrid's ongoing search for a young, promising and affordable central defender continues. The latest player under their radar is Abdukodir Khusanov, a standout defender for French club Lens.
At just 20 years old, Khusanov, who has 18 caps for Uzbekistan, has become one of Ligue 1's sensations. Lens bought him from Belarusian club FC Energetik for just $110,000 in the summer of 2023 -BGU Minsk, and his value has skyrocketed to $13 million, according to Transfermarkt. Its rapid growth in France has been extremely impressive.
What kind of player is Abdukodir Khusanov?
Khusanov has caught the attention of Real Madrid scouts, but they are not the only ones. His attributes make him a prototypical center back in the Premier League, attracting interest from several top English clubs, with Manchester City leading the charge. Initial contact has been established between its representatives and the citizens.
The right-footed youngster is known more for his defensive skills off the ball than his ability with the ball at his feet. As highlighted in a scouting report from Total Football Analysis, the Uzbek is not particularly quick, but he makes up for this with his positional sense, reading the game and the timing of his challenges.
Real Madrid is looking for 'new' Raphaël Varane
From Real Madrid's perspective, the French market remains particularly attractive. Since the successful takeover of Raphael Varane, recommended by Zinedine Zidane and also signed by Lens, the club has been keeping a close eye on Ligue 1.
The league offers young centre-backs valuable playing time at a high level without driving up prices. This strategy was almost repeated with Leny Yoro last summer, but Manchester United came up with a lucrative offer, signing the 18-year-old for around $65 million and offering him a staggering net annual salary of $9 million.
Khusanov's price will again depend on the extent to which the British pound comes into play, especially with Manchester City's deep pockets.
Uncertainty in Madrid about Jonathan Tah
Real Madrid's strategy of focusing on young players continues, especially at centre-back, where their future options remain somewhat unclear.
An interesting name is Jonathan Tah (29), whose contract with Bayer Leverkusen expires in June. However, he is highly sought after and Barcelona have already made a move for him. This is a different type of player that Real Madrid will take into account, especially if David Alaba's return does not go as hoped.
The club are currently content to have Tchouameni and Asencio supporting Rudiger for the rest of the season, with 17-year-old Diego Aguado making his debut in the Copa del Rey match against Deportiva Minera. However, strengthening the centre-back position is expected to be one of Madrid's main objectives this summer.
Original article written by Carlos Forjanes, translated with the help of AI and edited by Roddy Cons.
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