Why Tottenham lost the race to sign Abdukodir Khusanov from RC Lens
Manchester City look to have won the race for Abdukodir Khusanov in January, but why did the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle drop out of the running?
Tottenham’s initial interest in Abdukodir Khusanov
In recent weeks, Tottenham Hotspur’s defensive struggles have been thrust into the spotlight, with a growing need for reinforcements in the heart of defence.
Crucially, the injuries to Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven – two key pillars of Spurs’ backline – have only heightened the urgency for Ange Postecoglou to bolster his squad.
To address these concerns, Spurs were said to have turned their attention to Abdukodir Khusanov, a 20-year-old centre-back who has been impressing for RC Lens in Ligue 1.
However, as the transfer window progresses, new reports reveal why Tottenham did not pursue a deal for Khusanov in the end, despite initial interest.
Lens set high asking price as Tottenham bowed out of the race
According to the New York Times, The key obstacle in this transfer saga was the price set by RC Lens.
The French club are reportedly seeking a deal worth more than €40million (£33.5m), a figure that is well above what Tottenham were prepared to pay for a player still in the early stages of his career.
While Newcastle United, like Spurs, had shown interest in the 20-year-old, their own financial constraints made any potential move for Khusanov seem unlikely. Manchester City did not have the same problem.
Jorge Mendes, the influential super-agent, has been tasked with securing the best possible deal for Lens, with Khusanov’s raw potential making him an attractive proposition for clubs looking to invest in young talent.
Yet, despite the defender’s promise, it seems that Tottenham’s financial limitations and their current priorities under Ange Postecoglou prevented them from pursuing the deal further.
Tottenham’s Abdukodir Khusanov decision shows Ange Postecoglou’s budget constraints
While Khusanov undoubtedly represents a promising talent, the €40million (£33.5m) price tag appears to be far beyond the parameters of Tottenham’s current transfer strategy.
With a tight budget reportedly allocated to Ange Postecoglou this January, the club simply cannot afford to gamble on a player whose development is still in its early stages.
Given the inflated transfer fees that have characterised this window, it is no surprise that Spurs decided to move away from this deal.
The Lilywhites will now have to turn their attention to other potential targets that align with their vision and transfer strategy.
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