Sport nationLeeds United’s rumored £16.5 million January transfer bid for Abdukodir Khusanov has become even more unlikely. According to Top Mercato, Leeds have made a bid for the RC Lens defender, but there are several reasons why the transfer is unlikely to happen.
Firstly, Lens are reportedly holding out for a fee closer to £25 million, which is significantly higher than Leeds’ bid. This is a substantial difference, and it’s unclear whether Leeds would be willing to increase their offer to meet Lens’ valuation.
Additionally, Premier League clubs Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur have also scouted Khusanov, which could drive up the price and make it harder for Leeds to compete. The interest from these top-flight clubs could lead to a bidding war, which would further complicate Leeds’ chances of signing the defender.
Furthermore, Leeds are still a Championship club, and investing nearly £20 million on a single player would be a significant risk. While the club has shown ambition in recent transfer windows, spending such a large amount on one player could be seen as reckless, especially considering the club’s current financial situation.
Manager Daniel Farke has stated that the club is in a “healthy” financial position, but also emphasized that they “can’t spend a fortune.” This suggests that Leeds have a limited budget for the January transfer window, and spending £16.5 million on Khusanov may not be feasible.
Lens, on the other hand, need to raise cash quickly, but they may not have to sell Khusanov to do so. According to L’Equipe, Lens have reached an agreement to sell goalkeeper Brice Samba to Rennes for around £12 million, which could alleviate some of the financial pressure. This sale could give Lens the flexibility to hold out for a higher price for Khusanov, making it even more unlikely that Leeds will be able to sign him.
Farke has also stated that the club will focus on winning games rather than making transfers in January. “After January 4, there will be FA Cup weekend, and then we can speak about everything else if we do something in January,” he said. This suggests that Leeds will prioritize their on-field performance over making new signings, at least for the time being.
Overall, while Leeds United may be interested in signing Abdukodir Khusanov, the transfer seems unlikely to happen due to the high price tag, competition from Premier League clubs, and Leeds’ limited budget. The club’s focus on winning games and the potential sale of Brice Samba by Lens further complicate the situation, making it even more unlikely that Khusanov will join Leeds in January.
Key points:
- Leeds United have bid £16.5 million for Abdukodir Khusanov, but Lens want closer to £25 million.
- Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur have also scouted Khusanov, which could drive up the price.
- Leeds are still a Championship club and investing nearly £20 million on a single player would be a significant risk.
- Lens may not have to sell Khusanov to raise cash, as they have agreed to sell goalkeeper Brice Samba to Rennes for around £12 million.
- Daniel Farke has stated that Leeds will focus on winning games rather than making transfers in January.
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