Newcastle considering £25m move for Lens star

Newcastle considering £25m move for Lens star - The Telegraph

by Olly Hawkins · 2 December 2024, 13:27

According to The Telegraph, Newcastle United are showing interest in Lens star Abdukodir Khusanov ahead of the January transfer window.

The 20-year-old centre-back has been one of the 'breakout stars' in Ligue 1 this season and is considered a hugely promising talent who would be a real hit in English football.

The Telegraph's Mike McGrath reports that Newcastle an Spurs are both tracking the Uzbekistan international, revealing that a fee in the region of £25m could be enough to tempt Lens to sell given he signed for less than £100,000 just 18 months ago.

It's believed Newcastle scouts have made trips to France to watch the young defender, who is also attracting interest from several top European clubs. PSG have been linked and the report states that seven Premier League sides have been keeping a close eye on Khusanov.

The Lens talent stands 6ft 1' tall and is a right-sided centre-back who can operate down either side and even as a defensive midfielder, suggesting he could offer the sort of versatility Eddie Howe often appreciates in signings.

Given Paul Mitchell's experience and contacts in Ligue 1 from his time at Monaco, combined with his recent comments about widening the net when it comes to overseas recruitment, it would be no surprise if this is a recommendation from our sporting director.

He'd be a cheaper alternative to Marc Guehi, but it remains to be seen if we spend money on our defence in January or look to bolster what has been a pretty toothless attack so far this season with 14 goals in 13 games.

PTS

Arsenal

Manchester City

Manchester United

Aston Villa

Liverpool

Bournemouth

Sunderland

-6

Brighton

Brentford

Chelsea

Fulham

-4

Newcastle United

-2

Everton

-3

Leeds United

-7

Crystal Palace

-10

Nottingham Forest

-3

Tottenham Hotspur

-9

West Ham

-19

Burnley

-37

Wolves

-41

		PL	GD	PTS
1	Arsenal	38	44	85
2	Manchester City	38	42	78
3	Manchester United	38	19	71
4	Aston Villa	38	7	65
5	Liverpool	38	10	60
6	Bournemouth	38	4	57
7	Sunderland	38	-6	54
8	Brighton	38	6	53
9	Brentford	38	3	53
10	Chelsea	38	6	52
11	Fulham	38	-4	52
12	Newcastle United	38	-2	49
13	Everton	38	-3	49
14	Leeds United	38	-7	47
15	Crystal Palace	38	-10	45
16	Nottingham Forest	38	-3	44
17	Tottenham Hotspur	38	-9	41
18	West Ham	38	-19	39
19	Burnley	38	-37	22
20	Wolves	38	-41	20