Manchester Metropolis have conceded an alarming variety of targets during the last couple of months, plummeting down the Premier League desk after enduring a torrid run of type that noticed them win simply as soon as in 13 matches in all competitions.
A mix of accidents to key gamers and an virtually inexplicable lack of confidence meant Pep Guardiola’s facet couldn’t arrest their stoop, though a 4-1 win over West Ham final weekend steered issues may quickly be again to regular.
Nonetheless, City will pay attention to the necessity to strengthen within the January switch window if they’re to have any probability of difficult for silverware – and a high 4 end – this season. With a number of essential gamers now properly into their 30s, the Premier League champions seem like set for one thing of a rebuild.
Manchester Metropolis goal Abdukodir Khusanov set for January transfer
And Lens defender Abdukodir Khusanov might be the person to assist Metropolis tighten up on the again. The Uzbekistan worldwide has impressed in Ligue 1 this season, making 13 appearances at centre-back for a facet with the second-best defensive document within the division.
Metropolis have been linked with the 20-year-old, and Lens’ managing director Pierre Dreossi has confirmed in an interview with DAZN that the participant might be offered within the January window.
“(Abdukodir) Khusanov will go away, there haven’t been any good bids but,” Dreossi mentioned. “There might be departures and arrivals. We may have greater than sufficient high quality gamers to qualify for Europe. If he’s to depart and if the bids are attention-grabbing sufficient, above all, it’s about discovering an financial steadiness.”
Metropolis have been hit notably laborious by accidents to defenders, with the likes of Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake all going through extended spells on the sidelines to this point this season. It stays to be seen if the comparatively inexperienced Khusanov would come straight into the first-team image, however it’s clearly an space Metropolis intend to enhance.
In line with ESPN, Metropolis are in talks to signal Khusanov and have been within the defender “for some time”. The switch will reportedly price £20 million and no determination has been made as as to whether he’ll return to Lens on mortgage or be a part of Guardiola’s squad for the rest of the season.
A lot of that may rely upon the damage standing of Metropolis’s extra skilled centre-backs, with Stones and Dias each absent towards West Ham final outing. Teenager Jahmai Simpson-Pusey has been pushed into first-team motion a number of occasions this season due to the shortage of choices at Guardiola’s disposal.
Khusanov has confirmed his value within the French high flight and clearly has what it takes to take care of the rigours of excessive stage soccer, having made the swap to Lens from Belarusian membership Energetik-BGU.
“Abdukodir is a participant who has already proven that he is without doubt one of the greatest in his place in Europe. He’s younger and daily he turns into even stronger,” his agent, Gairat Khasbiullin, advised the Mirror.
“He deserves to play in one of the best golf equipment in Europe. Now we have an excellent relationship with Lens and we’re on the identical facet – we would like one of the best for the participant collectively. If the switch is profitable, the membership will obtain a well-deserved reward for trusting the younger participant.”