Manchester City have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov who has emerged as a target in the January transfer window.
The Citizens are expected to be active this month with Pep Guardiola keen to bolster his small, injury-hit squad, admitting last week that a new defender and new midfielder could be targeted.
"Kevin [De Bruyne] is back but we need more in the middle and the back four, we have struggled with full-backs and central defenders," Guardiola told Sky Sports.
"In some positions we need help. The squad is good, the problem is we don't have the squad and that makes everything difficult.
"I thought our central defenders would be fit all season, but we have struggled - holding midfield and central defenders we need help. The market is the market. It's not easy, it's expensive, so we will see what the club can do."
Ruben Dias, John Stones, Manuel Akanji and Nathan Ake have all suffered with injuries this season - the former two are currently sidelined - and Man City have been without at least one of their four centre-back options during their torrid run of just two victories in 14 games across all competitions.
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Man City to move for Khusanov in January?
In a bid to strengthen Guardiola's depleted backline, Man City are now considering accelerating plans to sign 20-year-old defender Khusanov this month, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The report adds that the Citizens have been keeping tabs on the youngster since he enjoyed his breakthrough season at senior level in the Belarusian top flight with Energetik-BGU, where he made 35 senior appearance during the 2022-23 campaign.
Khusanov was snapped up by Lens for just €100,000 (£83,000) in the summer of 2023 and initially had to settle for a peripheral role with the French club in his debut season.
Indeed, the centre-back made just 11 Ligue 1 appearances and two each in the Champions League and Europa League last season, but he has since established himself as a first-team regular this term.
The 18-cap Uzbekistan international has started 11 times in the French top flight, helping Lens keep six clean sheets and climb to seventh in the table.
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Khusanov is said to be attracting interest from a host of other top clubs who could rival Man City for the defender in January, with the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United believed to be keeping tabs on his progress.
The youngster is under contract at Lens until June 2027, but it is understood that he could be available for around £20m this month.
Who else could Man City look to sign in January?
Man City have also been tipped to recruit a new full-back amid uncertainty over the future of 34-year-old Kyle Walker, with Nottingham Forest's Ola Aina one name who has been linked with a switch to the Etihad Stadium.
The Citizens are expected to prioritise a midfield addition, though, and have been credited with an interest in a host of players including Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes, Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and AC Milan's Tijjani Reijnders.
A swoop for Atalanta BC's Ederson has also been mooted as part of a £100m double raid along with Eintracht Frankfurt attacker Omar Marmoush.
Oliver Thomas
