Tottenham join Man City in race for £16.5m Ligue 1 centre-back

Recent struggles at the back have forced Tottenham Hotspur to search for reinforcements, and the North London side is now eyeing a young Ligue 1 talent – Abdukodir Khusanov. However, they are not the only Premier League club interested in the rising star.

Tottenham’s defensive struggles exposed

Ange Postecoglou has faced a challenging few weeks at the helm of Tottenham Hotspur, as injuries have left his defensive line severely depleted.

The Australian manager has been without his first-choice centre-backs, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, for an extended period, a situation that has coincided with a dip in form for the team.

Adding to the defensive woes, Tottenham’s dependable full-back Destiny Udogie has also been sidelined for six weeks, leaving the backline stretched thin.

With only Radu Dragusin fully fit and the young midfielder Archie Gray forced into a makeshift defensive role, the Lilywhites have struggled to maintain any form of momentum.

In light of these challenges, Tottenham have turned their attention to strengthening their defence, setting their sights on a promising Ligue 1 defender who could provide both immediate support and long-term potential.

Tottenham target Abdukodir Khusanov

According to a report from CaughtOffside, Tottenham view Khusanov as a player with significant upside.

With Romero and Van de Ven expected to return to full fitness in the near future, the North London club sees the Lens defender as a long-term investment who can slot into their plans seamlessly.

The report notes that Tottenham view Khusanov as a promising option, highlighting his youth and potential for growth, especially as their primary central defenders, Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, are expected to regain full fitness in the near future.

Lens have reportedly placed a price tag of €15m-€20m (£12.45m-£16.6m) on Khusanov, a valuation that has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, including reigning champions Manchester City.

Sources suggest that Pep Guardiola’s side has already made enquiries about the player and plans to meet again soon regarding a potential transfer.

It is believed that City could table an opening bid of €10m (£8.3m) as they seek to revitalise their squad ahead of the 2025 campaign.

The potential impact of Khusanov on Tottenham’s future

Although Khusanov is contracted to Lens until 2027, the reported price tag of €15m-€20m appears reasonable for a player of his potential.

The question now is whether Tottenham can outmanoeuvre their Premier League rivals to secure the Uzbekistan international’s services.

For Postecoglou, who is intent on building a side capable of sustained success, Khusanov represents a valuable piece of the puzzle—one who could provide both short-term relief and long-term stability in the heart of the defence.

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