Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United have both set their sights on Lens star Abdukodir Khusanov ahead of the January transfer window.
TBR Football previously confirmed that Khusanov is wanted by Tottenham, Newcastle, and a host of other Premier League clubs including Chelsea.
Several European sides are also eyeing the Uzbekistan international, such as Bayer Leverkusen, RB Leipzig, Napoli, Atalanta and Marseille.
Now, TBR Football can reveal what Lens have told Tottenham and Newcastle about Khusanov that could spark another James Maddison-like transfer saga.
Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal is challenged by Abdukodir Khusanov of RC Lens during the UEFA Champions League match between Arsenal FC and RC Lens ...
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
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Tottenham and Newcastle told to move early for Abdukodir Khusanov
TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has been informed that Tottenham and Newcastle have both been told that they would need to move quickly for Khusanov.
This is because Lens are also open to selling fellow centre-back Kevin Danso, but would only let one of the two leave during the January transfer window.
Therefore, if Danso leaves first, Lens won’t then sell Khusanov, meaning Tottenham and Newcastle won’t exactly have time on their side.
This could potentially spark another transfer saga between Spurs and the Magpies, who famously locked horns over Maddison in the summer of 2023.
What Tottenham and Newcastle could expect from Khusanov
Khusanov is said to be valued at £25million, making him a relatively inexpensive addition for an upper-tier Premier League club like Tottenham and Newcastle.
Should either club manage to sign Khusanov, they’d be getting themselves one of the best defenders in the French top flight.
The Ligue 1 website wrote in January: ‘Almost never caught out by opposing attackers, the calm defender very often dominates his opponent physically, and has added another asset to his game: anticipation.
‘Often well placed, he is the player who has made the most interceptions since the start of the season in the championship (17), tied with the Parisian Willian Pacho and Marseille’s Pierre-Emile Hojberg.’
Meanwhile, Will Still is quoted by the website as saying: “He’s calm, powerful, he’s fast… He doesn’t talk but he’s good.
“When I arrived, with the departure of “Kev'” in sight, Jean-Louis Leca (sports coordinator) told me: “Don’t worry, there’s “Kodir” who is here, and he’s ready.”
“He wasn’t wrong. He has very, very impressive potential.”
And Lens goalkeeper Bryce Samba is quoted as saying after a 0-0 draw with Nice in September: “He’s a monster, what he did again tonight… He scares me. No, really! For his age, what he does…”
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