Tottenham are one of the sides to have ‘come forward’ for RC Lens youngster Abdukodir Khusanov, with Jorge Mendes given a mandate to sell him.
That’s according to L’Equipe, who report that the French club wish to ‘take advantage’ of the January transfer window and secure at least €44m in sales.
Owner and majority shareholder Joseph Oughourlian has put pressure on those beneath him to secure sales, balance the books and lower the wage bill.
That’s been taken on board by sporting director Diego Lopez who has made it clear to all agents that no player in the squad is considered ‘untransferable’.
Khusanov is one of those in the squad who is a ‘headliner’, and the club have given a mandate to Jorge Mendes to find him a destination. That tallies with a report from last month that said the Portuguese agent had offered the player to Newcastle and Wolves.
Only the Magpies are mentioned of those two alongside Tottenham, Manchester City, Leicester City and RB Leipzig as clubs who have ‘come forward for the 20-year-old at this moment in time.
How far they’ve moved in early efforts isn’t made clear but Tottenham or any other interested party would need €25-30m. That’s the price Mendes has been mandated to sell the defender for although they’re hoping for more from Premier League sides.
Whether Tottenham would be willing to do so, particularly a year after spending the same amount to sign Radu Drăgușin from Genoa, remains to be seen.
But they’re continuing to be linked, with a report last week even stating he was at the top of their list after it was claimed earlier this year that they were rivalling Chelsea for him.
It’s a situation to keep a close eye on, with Lens’ desire to sell sure to tempt clubs into bidding for him.
