New signing Abdukodir Khusanov of Manchester City trains with Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Ph…Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Leeds United never had a chance as agent explains how Abdukodir Khusanov joined Manchester City instead
If indeed the reports were true in the first place, suggestions that Leeds United made a £16.5 million bid for one of the most in-demand young players in Europe always felt somewhat overly ambitious.
While the Championship table-toppers did have money to spend this window, and they still do, a near 20 million euro deal did not seem particularly realistic without the guaranteed riches of the Premier League to pad out Leeds United’s finances.
Furthermore, there was no shortage of competition for Abdukodir Khusanov’s signature.
Competition not only from clubs in the division above, but across Europe. And, presuming a £16.5 million offer did arrive from Elland Road, the message sent back by RC Lens was likely to be along the lines of; ‘You’d be lucky to get Khusanov’s weaker left boot for such a fee’.
Becoming the first Uzbekistani player in the history of England’s top flight, Khusanov become a Manchester City player to the tune of £33 million this week.
And, explaining to Championat how that Etihad Stadium switch came about for the 20-year-old sensation, Khusanov’s agent rather tellingly makes no mention of Leeds when discussing the clubs Man City had beaten to the centre-back’s sought-after signature.
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Abdukodir Khusanov of Lens during the French Cup football match between RC Lens (RCL) and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on De…
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images
Agent omits Leeds United when explaining Abdukodir Khusanov’s Manchester CIty switch
“Serious talks [with Manchester City] began in early December,” Gayrat Khasbiullin says. “In total, about 12 Premier League clubs expressed an interest. It was clear that City would be among them.
“Not all clubs could afford to make an offer now, because they were experiencing restrictions due to Financial Fair Play. City did not have such a problem, so they quickly persuaded Lens to [accept] 40 million euros plus 10 million euros in bonuses.
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“All that was left was to agree with us.”
Realistically, Leeds United’s chances of landing Khusanov while still a Championship club were pretty low.
Considering the package Man City would end up offering – the fee could eventually rise to £42 million – and it’s perhaps no wonder why Leeds were not really mentioned as an active suitor beyond those initial reports at the end of December.
Khasbiullin confirms that City’s bitter rivals Manchester United overlooked the chance to sign Pep Guardiola’s newest, shiniest toy before Khusanov evolved into one of Europe’s finest young centre-halves across the Channel.
The club who came the closest to snatching Khusanov from under Guardiola’s nose, meanwhile, was another United. Newcastle United.
Newcastle missed out on Khusanov as Leeds get Pascal Struijk boost
“Newcastle were very close to a deal,” the agent adds. “They were even one of the favourites, and then they were the last to leave the race with City. As far as I understand, Financial Fair Play also played a role.
“Perhaps, if they had made an offer earlier, they would have managed to reach an agreement. Then, City put so much pressure on Lens that it was difficult to make a comparable offer. The fact that the French needed this saving money also played a role.
“Clubs from Germany wanted him. All the top German clubs, except Bayern [Munich]. We are talking about Leipzig, Stuttgart, Bayer [Leverkusen] and Borussia Dortmund. Several Italian top clubs [were keen on Khusanov as well].”
With Ethan Ampadu back to full fitness and Daniel Farke playing down concerns over Pascal Struijk’s fitness – he could return to training next week – Leeds appear more likely to bring in an attacking reinforcement rather than a defensive one before the transfer deadline.
Farke is keen for Leeds to land another attacking midfielder. Leeds United News have also been exclusively told, by football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that Aston Villa playmaker Emi Buendia could still end up at Elland Road.
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