Tottenham and Newcastle in ‘transfer battle for £25m star’
Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United are grappling with defensive crises as injuries ravage their backlines. Spurs have been particularly hard-hit, with Micky van de Ven sidelined for several more weeks due to a thigh injury, while Cristian Romero remains absent following an ankle complaint sustained three weeks ago. This defensive shortage has forced manager Ange Postecoglou to improvise, most notably deploying left-back Ben Davies as a makeshift centre-back during the team’s memorable 4-0 victory over Manchester City last month and their recent 1-1 draw against Fulham.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United have endured a season-long absence of key defender Sven Botman, who suffered a serious knee injury. The Dutchman is not expected to return to action until at least the new year, leaving the Magpies to navigate their campaign without one of their most reliable defensive figures.
Shared January Transfer Objectives
The defensive struggles at both clubs have compelled Spurs and Newcastle to consider reinforcements in the upcoming January transfer window. According to The Telegraph, both sides have expressed early interest in Lens centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov, a rising star in Ligue 1 this season.
The 20-year-old Uzbekistani defender has been a revelation in the French top flight, starting nine of Lens’ 13 matches and helping his team achieve a solid start to the season, currently sitting seventh in the table. Khusanov joined Lens from Belarusian side Energetik-BGU Minsk just 18 months ago for a modest fee of £83,000. His performances have since drawn scouts from across Europe, with Tottenham, Newcastle, and five other Premier League clubs reportedly monitoring him. Paris Saint-Germain are also keen on acquiring the versatile defender.
A Defensive Prodigy in Ligue 1
Khusanov has played a pivotal role in Lens’ impressive defensive record this season. The team has conceded only 12 goals in 13 matches, a tally bettered only by league leaders PSG, who have let in 11. Despite his youth, Khusanov has become a cornerstone of Lens’ backline under manager Will Still, who took charge in the summer following Franck Haise’s departure for Nice.
Still, at just 32 years old, is one of Europe’s youngest managers and has shown immense faith in Khusanov. The defender has been a consistent starter whenever available, including in Lens’ recent victory over Reims, marking his return from suspension. Although primarily a centre-back, Khusanov has the versatility to operate as a defensive midfielder, though he has been exclusively utilized at the back this season.
Postecoglou Praises Squad Resilience
In the aftermath of Tottenham’s draw against Fulham, Postecoglou took the opportunity to commend his squad for stepping up during the injury crisis while subtly criticizing rival clubs for complaining about their own challenges.
“I’ve seen so much violin-playing over [other teams having] one centre-back out, but we’re just supposed to get on with it,” Postecoglou remarked. “Benny [Davies] and Radu [Drăgușin] have been outstanding throughout this spell. There aren’t too many teams in the league who have both their centre-backs out.”
The Australian coach continued, “I love the characters they’re showing. I love the fact that they’re not seeking excuses or wanting me to make allowances for it. But at some point, I need to acknowledge the massive effort these guys are putting in. Radu and Ben were outstanding again today.”
The Race for Khusanov
Both Tottenham and Newcastle view Khusanov as a potential solution to their defensive woes. Spurs are eager to strengthen their options at the back, while Newcastle reportedly regard the Uzbekistan international as one of the brightest young talents in European football.
However, competition for Khusanov’s signature will be fierce. With interest from multiple Premier League clubs and European giants like PSG, both Spurs and Newcastle will need to act decisively to secure his services in what promises to be a hotly contested January transfer window.
